According to Saban, the reason he left Miami was that they did not sign Drew Brees. As Saban put it, the failed physical by the Miami Dolphins doctors was the catalyst to leaving Miami for Alabama.

Did Nick Saban get fired from Miami?

In comments published by 247sports.com, Saban said decided to leave the Dolphins after the team chose not to sign quarterback Drew Brees. “Look when the Miami Dolphins were going to sign Drew Brees, Drew was coming to Miami when I was the coach there,” Saban said.

When did Saban leave Miami?

Because if Saban did indeed decide when the team doctor vetoed the team's signing of Brees that he wasn't going to be able to win and that he was “out of here”, then the terms of Saban's departure at the end of the 2006 season are even more disheartening to know.