re: I think I have finally convinced myself that it actually is Saban.

Good post. Don’t let the downvotes mean anything. Most everyone wants him back but they just don’t want to get their hopes up. Your reasons are logical. Add to them the need to make a home run hire and that Saban, despite his success, isn’t as happy at Bama as some might think. At age 70 he may simply want to win championships and be happy.