Media, Saban Coaching Drama Could Influence Leonard Fournette's Decision

Alabama head coach Nick Saban walking off the field after losing to Auburn 34-28 on Nov. 30. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images).

On Tuesday, a source said that Texas head coach Mack Brown is expected to resign by the end of the week, according to Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com. This has led to more speculation of Alabama head coach Nick Saban taking that job, which could cost the school the number one overall recruit, Leonard Fournette.

Saban has been able to achieve tremendous success with the Crimson Tide, thus far. His teams have won at least 10 games since 2008, including three Bowl Championship Series, BCS, National Championships.

Until Nov. 30, the Crimson Tide was in contention to try to win their third consecutive BCS National Championship. On Nov. 30, Auburn defeated the Crimson Tide 34-28 on the well-known missed field goal return touchdown, which put an end to their 'three-peat' dream.

On Tuesday, a source told McMurphy reported that Brown is expected to resign by the end of the week.

"By the end of the week, that will be the outcome," the source said. "That will happen. It's a shame after 16 years he's not able to do it on his own with dignity and grace."

His record as the Longhorns' head coach is 158-47, a win-loss percentage of .771. This season, he led his team to an 8-4 record and they will play 10th-ranked Oregon in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.

The first source of Brown's potential resignation was by Orangebloods.com. Chris Brown, an Orangebloods.com columnist, published an article about this on Tuesday.

Brown responded to this rumor on Tuesday. "Later Tuesday, Brown texted the website Horns247: 'I haven't seen [the] article. I'm in Florida recruiting. If I had decided to step down, I sure wouldn't be killing myself down here. I have not decided to step down,'" according to McMurphy.

This rumor of Brown’s resignation not only affects him, but it also affects Saban. Many people have been touting Saban as Brown's potential replacement.

This includes a tweet on Tuesday from Stefan Stevenson, a TCU beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

 

Stefan Stevenson‏@FollowtheFrogs

Source close to Texas executive council of regents says Nick Saban will be next Longhorns coach.

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8:43 PM - 10 Dec 13

Saban has not acknowledged that any of these rumors are factual. Alabama appears to have tried to put an end to these rumors by offering Saban a new contract on Friday, according to Paul Finebaum of ESPN.com.

Even though Saban has a contract that runs through 2020, this deal is rumored to be anywhere from $7 to $10 million per year, according to ESPN.com. A deal for Saban might be essential to landing Fournette.

Fournette has been touted by numerous College Football experts and websites as the number one overall recruit from the Class of 2014. According to 247sports.com, Fournette's top two schools are Alabama and LSU.

The school that is able to land Fournette will have a potentially dominant running back. Adam Karmer of Bleacher Report.com stated in a video that Fournette reminds him of a young Adrian Peterson.

(http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1647106-meet-the-next-adrian-peterson-no1-recruit-leonard-fournette)

That is very high praise for any high school running back considering Peterson's immense success in the NFL. Peterson is arguably one of the top running backs in the league and this season he has rushed for 1,221 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.

According to 247sports.com, Fournette is six-feet, one-inch tall and weighs 226 pounds. He has also made plays on defense and special teams while attending St. Augustine High School, which is in New Orleans, La.

Fournette has been a dominant high school running back.

This past season, Fournette rushed for 1,185 yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns. He also had 28 catches for 544 yards, which led to nine reception touchdowns, according to highschoolsports.nola.com.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDZDg_j2S-c)

Fournette's most impressive season was his 2012 season.

During that season, Fournette rushed for 2,136 yards and scored 31 touchdowns. He also had 15 receptions for 313 yards, which led to three touchdowns.

Fournette officially visited LSU this past weekend. He will officially visit Alabama on Friday.

A player typically does not commit to a school that is undergoing a head coaching change.

Even if Saban ends up staying at Alabama; the media's reporting of him possibly becoming the Longhorns' head coach might have ruined his chance to land Fournette. Fournette will announce his commitment decision on Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-America High School Football Game.