Nick Saban wanted to change his job description. After three years coaching linebackers, he was eager to take over the secondary, where he’d played in college. He was not, however, so sure he wanted to change jobs.

Curt Cignetti said Jan. 18 that Indiana is avoiding the "rat poison" ahead of the national championship game vs. Miami.

When Nick Saban was building the early stages of his dynasty at Alabama football, he had help from a man who is now one of the hottest coaches in the sport. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti was the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator in Tuscaloosa from 2007 through 2011, helping land some of the top players in Crimson Tide history.

On the eve of the biggest game of his coaching career, Curt Cignetti is channeling his former boss to help keep his team's eyes on the prize.

Monday’s national championship game will feature two coaches, Indiana‘s Curt Cignetti and Miami‘s Mario Cristobal, who are Nick Saban coaching disciples. Both have spoken at length in the past about how arguably the greatest college football coach of all-time has impacted their careers.

Curt Cignetti is not here for sentiment. He didn’t bring any. Didn’t pack it. Didn’t allow it through TSA. The coach who has led Indiana to Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game against Miami knows he’s coaching a feel-good story.

Undefeated, armed with the Heisman winner and a blueprint of dominance cribbed straight from Saban himself, Indiana is ready to roll.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson consulted former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban when deciding whether to enter the NFL Draft, stay at Alabama or take one of the many lucrative offers being thrown his way to transfer.

There are 18 active FBS head coaches that spent time on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, including the two leading their teams in the College Football Playoff National Championship