View source for Lou Saban

{{Short description|American football player and coach (1921–2009)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name               = Lou Saban
| image              = Lou Saban.jpg
| caption            = Saban as Buffalo Bills coach in 1963
| number             = 66, 72, 20
| position           = [[Center (gridiron football)|Center]] <br> [[Linebacker]] <br> [[Placekicker]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1921|10|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Brookfield, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2009|3|29|1921|10|13}}
| death_place        = [[North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]], U.S.
| height_ft          = 6
| height_in          = 0
| weight_lb          = 202
| high_school        = [[Lyons Township High School|Lyons Township]]<br/>([[La Grange, Illinois]])
| college            = [[Indiana Hoosiers football|Indiana]]
| draftyear          = 1944
| draftround         = 10
| draftpick          = 88
| pastteams          =
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ([[1946 AAFC season|1946]]–1949)
| pastcoaching       =
* [[Case Western Reserve Spartans football|Case Tech]] (1950–1952)<br/>Head coach
* [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]] (1953)<br/>Assistant coach
* [[Northwestern Wildcats football|Northwestern]] (1954)<br/>Assistant coach
* Northwestern (1955)<br/>Head coach
* [[Western Illinois Leathernecks football|Western Illinois]] (1957–1959)<br/>Head coach
* [[Boston Patriots]] ([[1960 American Football League season|1960]]–[[1961 American Football League season|1961]])<br/>Head coach
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ([[1962 American Football League season|1962]]–[[1965 American Football League season|1965]])<br/>Head coach
* [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]] (1966)<br/>Head coach
* [[Denver Broncos]] ([[1967 AFL season|1967]]–{{NFL Year|1971}})<br/>Head coach
* Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|1972|1976}})<br/>Head coach
* [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami (FL)]] (1977–1978)<br/>Head coach
* [[Army Black Knights football|Army]] (1979)<br/>Head coach
* [[UCF Knights football|UCF]] (1983–1984)<br/>Head coach
* [[Martin County High School|Martin County HS (FL)]] (1987–1988)<br/>Assistant coach
* [[South Fork High School|South Fork HS (FL)]] (1988)<br/>Head coach
* [[Georgetown High School (South Carolina)|Georgetown HS (SC)]] (1989)<br/>Head coach
* Middle Georgia Heat Wave (1990)<br/>Head coach
* [[Peru State Bobcats football|Peru State]] (1991)<br/>Head coach
* [[Tampa Bay Storm]] ({{AFL Year|1992}})<br/>Head coach
* [[Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001)|Milwaukee Mustangs]] ({{AFL Year|1994}})<br/>Head coach
* [[Alfred State Pioneers football|Alfred State]] (1994)<br/>Head coach
* [[SUNY Canton Roos football|SUNY Canton]] (1995–2000)<br/>Head coach
* [[Chowan Hawks football|Chowan University]] (2001–2002)<br/>Head coach
| highlights         =
'''As player:'''
* 4× [[All-America Football Conference|AAFC champion]] ([[All-America Football Conference#1946|1946]]–[[All-America Football Conference#1949|1949]])
* 2× [[All-Pro]] (1948, 1949)
'''As coach:'''
* 2× [[American Football League|AFL champion]] (1964, 1965)
* 2× [[National Football League Coach of the Year Award#UPI National Football League Coach of the Year|UPI AFL Coach of the Year]] (1964, 1965)
* [[National Football League Coach of the Year Award#AP AFL Coach of the Year|AP AFL Coach of the Year]] (1965)
* [[Buffalo Bills#Wall of Fame|Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame]]
* [[Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|IAAC]] champion (1958, 1959)
| statlabel1         = Games played
| statvalue1         = 52
| statlabel2         = Games started
| statvalue2         = 9
| statlabel3         = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue3         = 13
| coachregrecord     = AFL/NFL: {{winning percentage|95|99|7|record=y}}
| coachplayoffrecord = AFL/NFL: {{winning percentage|2|2|record=y}}
| coachrecord        = AFL/NFL: {{winning percentage|97|101|7|record=y}}<br>College: {{winning percentage|60|83|4|record=y}}<br>Junior college: {{winpct|34|16|record=y}}
| pfrcoach           = SabaLo0
| pfr                = SabaLo20
| pfrexec            = SabaLo0
}}

'''Louis Henry Saban''' (October 13, 1921 – March 29, 2009) was an American professional [[American football|football]] player and coach. He played for [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]] in college and as a professional for the [[Cleveland Browns]] of the [[All-America Football Conference]] (AAFC) between 1946 and 1949. Saban then began a long coaching career. After numerous jobs at the college level, he became the first coach of the [[Boston Patriots]] in the [[American Football League]] (AFL) in 1960. He joined the [[Buffalo Bills]] two years later, and led the team to consecutive AFL championships in 1964 and 1965. Saban was the first head coach to win multiple AFL championships, with only [[Hank Stram]] passing him. After serving briefly as head coach at the [[University of Maryland]], he was hired as head coach of the [[Denver Broncos]] in 1967, where he remained for five years. Saban returned to the Bills—by then in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) following the [[AFL–NFL merger]]—from 1972 to 1976, reaching the playoffs once but failing to bring Buffalo another championship.

Following his departure from Buffalo, Saban returned to college coaching. He coached teams including the [[University of Miami]], [[United States Military Academy|Army]], [[University of Central Florida]] and [[Peru State College]]. He also coached at the high school level and for two [[Arena Football League]] teams. Saban switched jobs frequently and developed a reputation as an itinerant. At Central Florida, he was nicknamed Lou "two point two" Saban because he typically stayed in a coaching job for about 2.2 years. Saban initially dismissed this characterization, but came to accept it later in life. He held 21 coaching jobs during his 50-year career (lasting an average of 2.38 years for each job), which ended with a job at [[Chowan University]] in [[North Carolina]] between 2001 and 2002. Saban's combined record as a coach in the AFL and NFL was 95–99–7. His college football record was 94–99–4. Saban suffered from heart problems and had a fall in his home that required hospitalization in 2009. He died in March of that year.

==Playing career==
===High school and college===
Saban was the son of immigrants from [[Croatia]] and grew up near [[La Grange, Illinois]], a suburb of [[Chicago]].<ref name="Saban AP obit">{{Cite news |date=March 29, 2009 |title=Longtime coach Saban dies at age 87 |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4025398 |url-status=live |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320053022/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4025398 |archive-date=March 20, 2014}}</ref> His first job, at age nine, was as a caddy for [[Al Capone]]'s brother [[Ralph Capone|Ralph]] at a Chicago golf course.<ref name="Saban NYT obit">{{Cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Goldstein (writer, born 1942) |date=March 30, 2009 |title=Lou Saban, a Well-Traveled Coach, Is Dead at 87 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/sports/football/30saban.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526072925/https://www.webcitation.org/6BE8QqDjM?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/sports/football/30saban.html%3F_r=1 |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> He was the brother of [[John Saban]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Heaton |first=Charles |date=September 22, 1950 |title=Carroll Facing Toughest Test In First Home Game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-carroll-facing-toughest/166307201/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=[[Cleveland, Ohio]] |page=24 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1952-04-05 |title=John Saban Is Added To Roster Of Brown Squad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-tribune-john-saban-is/166307272/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Daily Sentinel-Tribune |page=8 |publication-place=[[Bowling Green, Ohio]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=International News Service}}</ref> He attended [[Lyons Township High School]] and joined the school's football team. A runner and passer, he led his high school's athletic conference in scoring as a senior and was named an all-state and all-conference [[halfback (American football)|halfback]].<ref name="Saban Sauerbrei profile">{{Cite news |last=Sauerbrei |first=Harold |date=September 25, 1946 |title=Versatile Saban Excels As Defensive Back For Browns |page=16 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref>

Saban's high school coach was an [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]] alumnus and convinced him to enroll there.<ref name="Saban Sauerbrei profile" /> Saban played for the [[Indiana Hoosiers football]] team starting in 1940.<ref name="Saban Tribune obit">{{Cite news |last=Greenstein |first=Teddy |date=March 30, 2009 |title=Lou Saban dies at 87 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/03/30/lou-saban-1921-2009/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032943/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-03-30/sports/0903290289_1_lyons-township-high-school-lou-saban-alabama-coach-nick-saban |archive-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Saban as sophomore">{{Cite news |date=1941-10-26 |title=Hoosiers High in Praise of Harder |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/onjsfovkhmkfmwncdbwvrzqilkrxhovk_ip-10-166-46-173_1740107362946 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=4B |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]]}}</ref> He was used as a [[quarterback]] in 1941, his sophomore year.<ref name="Saban as quarterback">{{Cite news |last=Arnot |first=Charles |date=October 19, 1941 |title=Hoosiers' 3rd Period Drive Wins, 21–13 |page=10 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |agency=United Press International |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7ncbAAAAIBAJ&pg=4970,1105778&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062903/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7ncbAAAAIBAJ&pg=4970%2C1105778&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He also played as a linebacker and a placekicker.<ref name="Saban as quarterback" />{{sfn|Piascik|2007|p=25}}<ref name="Saban as placekicker">{{Cite news |date=October 11, 1942 |title=Two Fumbles Beat Nebraska |page=11 |work=The Telegraph-Herald |agency=Associated Press |location=Lincoln, Neb. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sVxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4591,3775143&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062927/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sVxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4591%2C3775143&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban was named to the [[Associated Press]] [[List of All-Big Ten Conference football teams|All-Big Ten]] second team as a quarterback in 1942.<ref name="1942 All-Big Ten">{{Cite news |date=November 29, 1942 |title=A.P. All-Big Ten |page=4C |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He was the captain of Indiana's 1942 team and was selected as its most valuable player.<ref name="Saban Sauerbrei profile" /> Saban was also a standout [[shot put]]ter, winning a Big Ten Conference competition at [[Illinois Institute of Technology]] in 1943 with a throw of 48 feet and 11 1/2 inches.<ref name="Saban wins shot put">{{Cite news |date=1943-03-11 |title=Frosh Athletes Enter Relays |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/gfulqpbabpbibwhtjfxbxcxkvoerqmhc_ip-10-166-46-69_1740107656804 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Milwaukee Journal |page=2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Later in 1943, Saban joined the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] as World War II intensified following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]].{{sfn|Piascik|2007|p=25}} In 1944, he was selected to compete in the [[College All-Star Game]], a now-defunct annual contest between the [[National Football League]] champion and a selection of the best college players from around the country.<ref name="Saban on all-star squad">{{Cite news |date=August 8, 1944 |title=Name Franka To Coaching Staff |page=6 |work=The Telegraph-Herald |agency=United Press |location=Chicago |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0u9iAAAAIBAJ&pg=6120,3827125&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062837/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0u9iAAAAIBAJ&pg=6120%2C3827125&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban, then stationed at [[Fort Benning]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], was named the college team's second Most Valuable Player after quarterback [[Glenn Dobbs]] of the [[University of Tulsa]]. He kicked three extra points and played on the defensive line in the all-stars' 24–21 loss to the [[Chicago Bears]].<ref name="Saban in all-star game">{{Cite news |date=1944-09-01 |title=Dobbs Voted Most Valuable All-Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-dobbs-voted-most-val/166308070/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Palm Beach Post |page=11 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Saban played for Fort Benning's [[1944 Third Infantry Cockades football team]], while stationed there.<ref name="Saban with Benning team">{{Cite news | last=Fullerton | first=Hugh Jr. |date=October 11, 1944 |title=Sports Roundup |page=6 |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |location=New York |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dB4hAAAAIBAJ&pg=3618,723964&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062837/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dB4hAAAAIBAJ&pg=3618%2C723964&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He also studied Chinese for five months at the [[University of California]] and served in China and India as an Army interpreter.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|p=25}}<ref name="Saban arrives at Browns camp">{{Cite news |last=Dietrich |first=John |date=July 29, 1946 |title=Browns, Big and Brawny, Set For Training Kickoff |page=16 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer |location=Bowling Green, Ohio}}</ref>

===Cleveland Browns===
Saban was selected in the 10th round of the [[1944 NFL draft]] by [[Card-Pitt]], a temporary merger between the [[Chicago Cardinals]] and [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] made necessary after the teams were gutted by players' military service.<ref name="Saban stats">{{Cite web |title=Lou Saban NFL Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SabaLo20.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109142727/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SabaLo20.htm |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> Saban, however, did not sign with Card-Pitt, and instead joined the [[Cleveland Browns]], a team under formation in the new [[All-America Football Conference]] (AAFC) and coached by [[Paul Brown]].<ref name="Saban signed by Browns">{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1946 |title=Ex-Marquette Guard Signed by Browns |page=2C |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> Brown said Saban would be used exclusively on defense as a linebacker and as a kicker of extra points.<ref name="Saban to be used on defense">{{Cite news |last=Cobbledick |first=Gordon |date=July 21, 1946 |title=Plain Dealing |page=18A |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> Saban was one of the first arrivals at the Browns' training camp in [[Bowling Green, Ohio]], having left China just three weeks before.<ref name="Saban arrives at Browns camp" />

Despite Brown's intentions, Saban was used occasionally on the Browns' offense in 1946.<ref name="Saban Sauerbrei profile" /> He caught a 44-yard pass from quarterback [[Otto Graham]] in a September game against the [[Buffalo Bills (AAFC)|Buffalo Bisons]].<ref name="Saban Sauerbrei profile" /> He was mainly used as a linebacker, however, and had four interceptions as the Browns won the first AAFC championship.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|pp=64–65}} In the offseason, he worked for Browns owner [[Arthur B. McBride|Mickey McBride's]] Yellow Cab Company; many of his teammates spent the offseason either at college making up for time lost to the war or taking jobs to supplement their football incomes.<ref name="Saban offseason taxi job">{{Cite news |last=Cobbledick |first=Gordon |date=January 19, 1947 |title=Plain Dealing |page=2C |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref>

Saban was named the Browns' captain in 1946 after [[Jim Daniell]], the first team captain, was arrested in a scuffle with Cleveland police and was kicked off the team at the end of the season.<ref name="Saban as captain">{{Cite news |last=Sauerbrei |first=Harold |date=August 7, 1947 |title=Gaudio Winning Fight to Stay With Browns |page=17 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer |location=Bowling Green, Ohio}}</ref> The following year, he filled in to kick extra points when the team's regular placekicker, [[Lou Groza]], was injured.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|p=80}} The Browns amassed a 12–1–1 regular-season record in 1947 and won the AAFC championship for the second time in a row.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|pp=81–82}}

Never having finished his degree at Indiana, Saban enrolled that summer at [[Baldwin Wallace University]] in [[Berea, Ohio]].<ref name="Cobbledick on offseason">{{Cite news |last=Cobbledick |first=Gordon |date=December 23, 1947 |title=Plain Dealing |page=16 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> After the 1948 season, in which Cleveland won all of its games and a third championship, Saban was named to two news outlets' all-AAFC teams.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|pp=121–122}} Saban came into his own as a linebacker in 1948. "Saban has been regarded as the best in football at his position for two years", Brown said in November. "If anything, he's even better this year. He has improved on covering pass receivers."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sauerbrei |first=Harold |date=November 19, 1948 |title=Saban, Browns' Defensive Lion, Bids to Check Buddy Young for 5th Time |page=24 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> He was a unanimous all-AAFC selection in 1949, when the Browns won their fourth AAFC championship in a row.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|p=148}} Saban announced his retirement before the championship game and said in December that he was seeking the head coaching job at the Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland before its merger with the Western Reserve University forming the [[Case Western Reserve University]].<ref name="Saban bids for Case post">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1949 |title=Saban Bids For Case Grid Post |page=19 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
===College===
Saban beat more than 50 applicants to win the head coaching job at [[Case Western Reserve Spartans football|Case]] in February 1950, thanks to what the university's president called his "unusually sound knowledge of football" and his "leadership qualities".<ref name="Saban named Case coach">{{Cite news |last=Heaton |first=Chuck |date=February 12, 1950 |title=Saban Signs Contract as [[Case Western Reserve Spartans football|Case Football]] Coach |page=1C |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> Saban "possesses the sort of personality and character that is of great value in work with young men", the president said.<ref name="Saban named Case coach" /> Saban was 28 years old at the time, and the appointment made him one of the youngest college head coaches in the country.<ref name="Saban named Case coach" /> Saban borrowed coaching techniques from Brown, alongside his version of the [[T formation]] offense.<ref name="Saban named Case coach" />

Saban's team finished the 1950 season with four wins and four losses.<ref name="Saban in 1950">{{Cite news |date=December 31, 1950 |title=Sports Provided Many '50 Thrills |page=16A |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> By 1951, he was already under consideration for coaching jobs at bigger schools, including Indiana University and [[Toledo University]], where he was mentioned as a "dark horse" candidate to replace former Browns teammate [[Don Greenwood (American football)|Don Greenwood]].<ref name="Saban considered for Toledo job">{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1952 |title=Saban Rated 'Dark Horse' Candidate |page=16 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> His [[Case Western Reserve Spartans football|Case]] teams compiled a 10–14–1 record during his tenure as head coach from 1950 to 1952.<ref name="Saban resigns from Case">{{Cite news |last=Heaton |first=Chuck |date=March 12, 1953 |title=Saban Resigns as Case Football Coach Today; Joins U. of Washington Staff |page=25 |work=Cleveland Plain Dealer}}</ref> Saban resigned in March 1953 to become an assistant at the [[University of Washington]] under head coach [[John Cherberg]].<ref name="Saban resigns from Case" /> He spent just one year at Washington before getting a job as an assistant coach at [[Northwestern University]], saying he wanted to return to the Midwest.<ref name="Saban leaves Washington">{{Cite news |date=January 25, 1954 |title=Huskies Seeking Backfield Coach |page=13 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |location=Seattle |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5OVXAAAAIBAJ&pg=5586,618543&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062901/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5OVXAAAAIBAJ&pg=5586%2C618543&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 1955, Saban was promoted to head coach at Northwestern, succeeding [[Bob Voigts]] and becoming the youngest coach in the [[Big Ten Conference]] at 33 years old.<ref name="Saban named Northwestern coach">{{Cite news |date=1955-02-09 |title=Lou Saban New Northwestern Head Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-lou-saban-new-northw/166308292/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Palm Beach Post |page=16 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Saban hired [[George Steinbrenner]] as one of his assistant coaches.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3913583/nick-saban-not-the-vagabond-lou-saban-was |title=Nick Saban: Not the vagabond Lou Saban was<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127192100/https://oklahoman.com/article/3913583/nick-saban-not-the-vagabond-lou-saban-was |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban's tenure as coach of the [[Northwestern Wildcats football]] team, however, was brief and unsuccessful. Hampered by injuries, the team lost all of its games in 1955, and calls intensified for Saban's firing as the season wore on.<ref name="Saban pressured at Northwestern">{{Cite news |date=1955-11-02 |title=Quit Big 10 Suggestion Spurned |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-quit-big-10-suggestion-s/166308184/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Tri-City Herald |page=13 |publication-place=Pasco, Washington |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In December, Saban and his entire staff were fired by new athletic director [[Stu Holcomb]].<ref name="Saban fired at Northwestern">{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1955 |title=NU's Saban, Staff Fired |page=3 |work=The Michigan Daily |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=swtbAAAAIBAJ&pg=3433,4042935&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062921/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=swtbAAAAIBAJ&pg=3433%2C4042935&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ara Parseghian]] was named as his replacement.<ref name="Parseghian named Wildcats coach">{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1955 |title=Wildcats Name Parseghian |page=17 |work=The Telegraph-Herald |agency=Associated Press |location=Evanston, Ill. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vIRFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7372,6093544&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062913/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vIRFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7372%2C6093544&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Saban moved on to a job as head coach at [[Western Illinois University]] in 1957, where he quickly built up a successful team.<ref name="Saban at Western Illinois">{{Cite web |title=Western Illinois Mourns Loss of Legendary Football Coach Lou Saban |url=http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=7193 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014351/http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=7193 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Western Illinois University |location=Macomb, Ill.}}</ref> The [[Western Illinois Leathernecks football|Western Illinois Leathernecks]] finished with a record of 6–1–1 in 1958, followed by an undefeated 9–0 season in 1959, when Saban also served as an assistant under Otto Graham in the [[College All-Star Game]].<ref name="Saban at Western Illinois" /><ref name="Saban on All-Stars">{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1959 |title=Graham Picks All-Star Squad To Face Colts |page=19 |work=The Day |agency=Associated Press |location=Chicago |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D6w0AAAAIBAJ&pg=3685,1808666&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062916/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D6w0AAAAIBAJ&pg=3685%2C1808666&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Having built up a 20–5–1 record over three seasons as coach, Saban drew interest from the professional ranks, and the [[Boston Patriots]] of the newly formed [[American Football League]] (AFL) hired him as head coach before the circuit's inaugural season in 1960.<ref name="Saban at Western Illinois" /><ref name="Saban hired by Patriots">{{Cite news |date=February 9, 1960 |title=Boston Chooses Saban |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xLcqAAAAIBAJ&pg=1095,1590947&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062922/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xLcqAAAAIBAJ&pg=1095%2C1590947&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Professional===
Led by quarterback [[Butch Songin]], Saban's Patriots posted a 5–9 record in their [[1960 Boston Patriots season|first season]].<ref name="Saban coaching stats">{{Cite web |title=Lou Saban Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SabaLo0.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009091915/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SabaLo0.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> The following April, Saban brought in quarterback [[Babe Parilli]], who formerly played for the Browns and [[Green Bay Packers]], as a backup in the AFL's biggest-ever trade at the time.<ref name="Parilli trade">{{Cite news |date=1961-04-06 |title=Parilli Is Swapped to Boston Patriots |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/gfcaraozxurpflfxocmyvekdcsmxevin_ip-10-166-46-188_1740108187865 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Milwaukee Journal |page=14, part 2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]]}}</ref> Five games into the [[1961 Boston Patriots season|1961]] season, however, with the Patriots at 2–3, Saban was fired and replaced by assistant [[Mike Holovak]].<ref name="Saban fired from Patriots">{{Cite news |date=October 11, 1961 |title=Patriots Fire Lou Saban |page=2C |work=St. Petersburg Times |agency=Associated Press |location=Florida |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xl9SAAAAIBAJ&pg=4631,230071&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062919/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xl9SAAAAIBAJ&pg=4631%2C230071&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Patriots owner [[Billy Sullivan (American football)|Billy Sullivan]] said the decision was made by a majority vote of the team's board of directors, who "just simply felt all the talent on our team had not been used and felt Mike was the man who would be able to use the talent we had to the extent that it is capable of performing."<ref name="Sullivan on Saban firing">{{Cite news |date=1961-10-11 |title=Saban Fired By Patriots |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-saban-fired-by-patri/166308538/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Palm Beach Post |page=7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In January [[1962 Buffalo Bills season|1962]], Saban was named the coach of the [[Buffalo Bills]], another AFL team, signing a one-year contract worth $20,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|20000|1962|r=-3}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars).<ref name="Saban named Bills coach">{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1962 |title=Lou Saban Bills' Coach |page=10 |work=The News-Dispatch |agency=United Press International |location=Buffalo, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sQNXAAAAIBAJ&pg=4113,1080726&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062922/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sQNXAAAAIBAJ&pg=4113%2C1080726&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bills had a 7–6–1 record in Saban's first season and came in third in the AFL's eastern division behind the [[1962 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]] and the Patriots.<ref name="1962 AFL stats">{{Cite web |title=1962 AFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962_AFL/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025021212/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962_AFL/ |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> [[Cookie Gilchrist]], a [[running back]] who signed with the Bills after nine years in the [[Canadian Football League]], won most valuable player honors that year and recorded the AFL's first 1,000-yard rushing season.<ref name="Gilchrist MVP of AFL">{{Cite news |date=December 19, 1962 |title=Gilchrist Rates Tops In 3-Year-Old League |page=3B |work=The Sumter Daily Item |agency=Associated Press |location=New York |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tH0wAAAAIBAJ&pg=2938,6218734&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062914/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tH0wAAAAIBAJ&pg=2938%2C6218734&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban also acquired [[Jack Kemp]], a quarterback, from the [[1962 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]], who had put him out on waivers while he recovered from a finger injury.{{sfn|Gruver|1997|pp=82–83}} Sportswriter Randy Schultz called it one of the biggest bargains in professional football history.<ref name="LOTBB">{{Cite book |last=Schultz, Randy |title=Legends of the Buffalo Bills |publisher=Sports Publishing LLC |year=2003 |isbn=1-58261-687-6}}</ref>

The Bills posted a 7–6–1 record again in [[1963 Buffalo Bills season|1963]], but this time it was enough to tie with the Patriots for the best record in the eastern division.<ref name="1963 AFL stats">{{Cite web |title=1963 AFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962_AFL/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025021212/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962_AFL/ |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> This set up the AFL's first-ever playoff game to decide which of the teams would win the division and compete in the championship.<ref name="Bills-Patriots game set">{{Cite news |last=Rathet |first=Mike |date=December 27, 1963 |title=Bills' Owner Files Protest On Ron Burton |page=5 |work=Gettysburg Times |agency=Associated Press |location=Buffalo, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xpQlAAAAIBAJ&pg=1183,262276&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062851/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xpQlAAAAIBAJ&pg=1183%2C262276&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bills lost the game, 26–8.<ref name="1963 AFL stats" />

Helped by Gilchrist's running and quarterback Kemp's passing, the Bills finished the [[1964 Buffalo Bills season|1964]] season with a 12–2 record and won the AFL championship.<ref name="1964 AFL stats">{{Cite web |title=1964 AFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1964_AFL/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025002950/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1964_AFL/ |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> The team won despite drama involving Gilchrist, who came into conflict with Saban frequently and asked to be traded on numerous occasions. The Bills released him on waivers in November 1964, but canceled the move when Gilchrist apologized.<ref name="Gilchrist off waivers">{{Cite news |date=1964-11-19 |title=Bills Take Gilchrist Off Waiver List |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/xtkmnkjrpecmmpkngzcsjgznkefvzbda_ip-10-166-46-120_1740108415316 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=14 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> After the [[1964 American Football League Championship Game|1964 AFL championship]] win over the [[1964 San Diego Chargers season|Chargers]], Saban was named the league's coach of the year.<ref name="Saban named coach of year, 1964">{{Cite news |date=December 28, 1964 |title=Saban Is Honored As Coach of Year |work=The New York Times |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0917F8355F147A93C1AB1789D95F408685F9 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130104045/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0917F8355F147A93C1AB1789D95F408685F9 |archive-date=January 30, 2013}}</ref>

Gilchrist was traded to the [[1965 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] in February [[1965 Buffalo Bills season|1965]], but the Bills continued to win, ending with a 10–3–1 record and winning the AFL championship for the second year in a row.<ref name="Gilchrist traded">{{Cite news |date=February 25, 1965 |title=Cookie Goes West to Join Denver Broncos |page=6B |work=The Evening News |agency=Associated Press |location=Buffalo, NY |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m_VfAAAAIBAJ&pg=3654,3207302&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062921/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m_VfAAAAIBAJ&pg=3654%2C3207302&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1965 AFL stats">{{Cite news |title=1965 AFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |work=Pro-Football-Reference.com |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1965_AFL/ |url-status=dead |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930073336/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1965_AFL/ |archive-date=September 30, 2012}}</ref> In the [[1965 American Football League Championship Game|1965 AFL championship game]] against the [[1965 San Diego Chargers season|Chargers]], when offensive linemen Billy Shaw and Dave Behrman were injured, Saban inserted veteran [[Ernie Warlick]] opposite rookie [[Paul Costa (American football)|Paul Costa]] in a double [[tight end]] formation, which helped the Bills win the game, 23–0.<ref name="Bills win 1965 championship">{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1965 |title=Bills Overpower San Diego For AFL Title, 23–0 |page=8 |work=Rome News-Tribune |agency=United Press International |location=San Diego |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BeZMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5996,6728855&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062917/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BeZMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5996%2C6728855&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban was named coach of the year for the second time in a row, silencing critics who had said he was indecisive, did not use his players properly and was not a good play-caller.<ref name="Saban coach of year, 1965">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1965 |title=Coach Of Year Saban Has Final Laugh On Critics |page=3C |work=St. Petersburg Times |agency=Associated Press |location=Buffalo, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ifhRAAAAIBAJ&pg=4491,4283162&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062922/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ifhRAAAAIBAJ&pg=4491%2C4283162&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 2, 1966, Saban unexpectedly departed from the Bills for the [[1966 Maryland Terrapins football team|University of Maryland]].<ref name="nltcq">{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1966 |title=Saban emulates Alexander; 'Nothing left to conquer' |page=2B |work=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |location=Oregon |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yqlVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5484%2C532032 |access-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062906/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yqlVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5484%2C532032 |url-status=live }}</ref> He said he was leaving because "there can be little left to conquer in professional football". Saban later stated that a variety of factors all came to play in deciding to leave, ranging from his satisfaction in having two great years to believing the Maryland job would be best for his family over the grind of pro football.<ref name="Saban resigns from Bills">{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1966 |title=Lou Saban Resigns |page=25 |work=Montreal Gazette |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GJQtAAAAIBAJ&pg=3429%2C140526 |access-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062919/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GJQtAAAAIBAJ&pg=3429%2C140526 |url-status=live }}</ref> His record at Buffalo was 36–17–3.<ref name="Saban coaching stats" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Miller |first=Jeff |author-link= |date= 2003|title= Going Long: The Wild Ten-Year Saga of the Renegade American Football League in the words of those who lived it|url= |location= |publisher=McGraw Hill |page=225|isbn=0-07-141849-0}}</ref>

Saban, however, only stayed at Maryland for [[1966 Maryland Terrapins football team|one season]] in which the team posted a 4–6 record.<ref name="Saban joins Denver">{{Cite news |date=December 16, 1966 |title=Denver Broncos Offer Lou Saban 10-Year Contract to Coach AFL Club |page=23 |work=Youngstown Vindicator |agency=Associated Press |location=Ohio |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6CZJAAAAIBAJ&pg=533%2C128479 |access-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062927/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6CZJAAAAIBAJ&pg=533%2C128479 |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned to professional football as coach of the AFL's Denver Broncos in December 1966, signing a 10-year contract with an annual salary of $50,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|50000|1966|r=-4}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars).<ref name="Saban joins Denver" /> When he joined, the Broncos had yet to have a winning season in seven years of existence.<ref name="Saban joins Denver" /> He replaced [[Ray Malavasi]], an assistant who took over after Saban's former Browns teammate, [[Mac Speedie]], resigned from the post after the first two games of the season.<ref name="Saban joins Denver" />

Saban engineered a number of trades before the [[1967 Denver Broncos season|1967]] season. He brought Gilchrist to the team from Miami in a seven-player deal; Denver had sent Gilchrist to Miami the previous season.<ref name="Cookie sent to Denver">{{Cite news |date=June 28, 1967 |title=Cookie to Denver |page=19 |work=Ottawa Citizen |agency=Associated Press |location=Denver |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nDc0AAAAIBAJ&pg=827,8993153&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062915/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nDc0AAAAIBAJ&pg=827%2C8993153&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He also acquired quarterback [[Steve Tensi]] from the Chargers in August for first-round draft picks in 1968 and 1969.<ref name="Tensi acquired">{{Cite news |date=August 16, 1967 |title=Tensi Traded To Broncos |page=1C |work=St. Petersburg Times |agency=Associated Press |location=Denver |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oXlQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7081,3556861&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062936/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oXlQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7081%2C3556861&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Denver won its first game, but proceeded to lose nine in a row and finish with a 3–11 record.<ref name="Denver 1967 stats">{{Cite web |title=1967 Denver Broncos Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1967.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002055632/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1967.htm |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> The team improved only marginally in the ensuing years, posting losing records in [[1968 Denver Broncos season|1968]] and [[1969 Denver Broncos season|1969]].<ref name="Denver 1968 stats">{{Cite web |title=1968 Denver Broncos Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1968.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005055141/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1968.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref><ref name="Denver 1969 stats">{{Cite web |title=1969 Denver Broncos Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1969.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104183939/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1969.htm |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> The AFL and [[National Football League]] completed their [[AFL–NFL merger|merger]] in [[1970 Denver Broncos season|1970]], but the Broncos continued to lose, posting a 5–8–1 record.<ref name="Saban coaching stats" /> Saban resigned after the Broncos got off to a 2–6–1 start in [[1971 Denver Broncos season|1971]].<ref name="Saban resigns from Denver">{{Cite news |date=November 18, 1971 |title=Lou Saban Resigns As Coach At Denver |page=33 |work=Bangor Daily News |agency=Associated Press |location=Denver |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sDQ0AAAAIBAJ&pg=863,1478093&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062928/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sDQ0AAAAIBAJ&pg=863%2C1478093&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He said resigning was "my responsibility to the team" and what while the club made progress, "my only regret is that we have not been able to give Denver a championship".<ref name="Saban resigns from Denver" /> Saban's record as Denver's coach was 20–42–3.<ref name="Saban resigns from Denver" /> Although he was not successful in Denver, he was cited by team owner [[Gerald Phipps]] as bringing in the "basic organization that we have now--administrative, scouting, coaching, the whole thing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://5008.sydneyplus.com/HistoryColorado_ArgusNet_Final/Portal/Portal.aspx?component=AAFW&record=2cba7a2f-5b1f-4880-b311-cb4066b92fe6|title=Oral history interview with Gerald Phipps|website=History Colorado. LucideaCore ARGUS.net}}</ref> Saban became well known for his intensity and occasional temper tantrums. A much-watched clip of him bemoaning to Denver line coach Whitey Dovell that "They're killin' me out there, Whitey, they're killin' me!" introduced Saban to a wider audience when it was aired by [[NFL Films]].<ref name="NFL films clip">{{Cite magazine |last=Posnanski |first=Joe |date=February 3, 2010 |title=How NFL Films transformed football |magazine=Sports Illustrated |location=Miami |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_posnanski/02/03/sabol/index.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225095457/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_posnanski/02/03/sabol/index.html |archive-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref>

Saban was named head coach of the Bills for a second time in late 1971.<ref name="Saban named coach of Bills again">{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1971 |title=Saban Promises Shakeup In Ranks |page=4 |work=The Daily Sentinel |agency=United Press International |location=Buffalo, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GgJEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1869,6801719&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062916/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GgJEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1869%2C6801719&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> When he arrived, Buffalo was coming off a 1–13 season, although the team had players including [[running back]] [[O. J. Simpson]], who had run for 742 yards and five touchdowns that year.<ref name="Saban inherits Bills">{{Cite news |date=August 18, 1972 |title=Saban inherits team with dismal record |page=6 |work=Ellensburg Daily Record |agency=United Press International |location=Buffalo, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R1VUAAAAIBAJ&pg=5093,2638081&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062854/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R1VUAAAAIBAJ&pg=5093%2C2638081&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> While the Bills had a 4–9–1 record, Simpson led the NFL in rushing yards in [[1972 Buffalo Bills season|1972]].<ref name="Simpson leads league, 1972">{{Cite news |last=Pike |first=Marvin R. |date=August 14, 1973 |title=Simpson Has High Grid Goal |page=16 |work=Reading Eagle |agency=Associated Press |location=Buffalo, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UQUrAAAAIBAJ&pg=6937,2031750&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062935/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UQUrAAAAIBAJ&pg=6937%2C2031750&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Under Saban, Simpson continued to improve in [[1973 Buffalo Bills season|1973]], setting a single-game rushing record with 250 yards in the season opener against the [[New England Patriots]].<ref name="Bills Patriots box score">{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – September 16, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160nwe.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022004208/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160nwe.htm |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=November 10, 2012 |publisher=Pro Football Reference}}</ref> He surpassed the single-season rushing record later in the year with more than 2,000 yards.<ref name="Simpson single-game record">{{Cite news |date=1973-10-31 |title=Simpson Tumbles Records |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-simpson-tumbles-reco/166308794/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Palm Beach Post |page=D2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="Simpson sets single-season record">{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1973 |title=Simpson Gives Linemen Credit |page=2B |work=The Sumter Daily Item |agency=Associated Press |location=New York |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a4UiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1154,2914313&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062921/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a4UiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1154%2C2914313&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Before Saban's arrival, Simpson had never rushed for more than 742 yards in a season. Simpson credited Saban with helping him reach his potential. "He saved my career", Simpson said in 1973, when he was named the NFL's most valuable player. "He promised me he'd give me the football and give me an offensive line, and he sure kept his word."<ref name="Simpson thanks Saban">{{Cite news |date=December 19, 1973 |title=O.J. Has Thanks for Coach Saban |page=42 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |location=New York |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-6dYAAAAIBAJ&pg=4324,1136534&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062927/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-6dYAAAAIBAJ&pg=4324%2C1136534&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bills had a 9–5 record that year but came in second in the [[AFC East]] and missed the playoffs.<ref name="Saban coaching stats" />

Buffalo finished the [[1974 Buffalo Bills season|1974]] season with another 9–5 record and made the playoffs as the AFC's [[Wild card (sports)|wildcard]] team. The Bills, however, lost their first playoff game against the [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] and were eliminated.<ref name="Bills lose to Steelers">{{Cite news |last=Yake |first=D. Byron |date=December 23, 1974 |title=Buffalo Lauds Bradshaw |page=29 |work=The Lewiston Daily Sun |agency=Associated Press |location=Pittsburgh |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r5MgAAAAIBAJ&pg=2988,3857372&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062927/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r5MgAAAAIBAJ&pg=2988%2C3857372&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban said after the game that the Steelers' offensive domination was the deciding factor. "I'm not sure how they did what they did against us, but they blew us out", he said.<ref name="Bills lose to Steelers" /> Buffalo went on to an 8–6 season in [[1975 Buffalo Bills season|1975]], failing to make the playoffs.<ref name="Saban coaching stats" /> After the Bills got out to a 2–3 start in [[1976 Buffalo Bills season|1976]], Saban resigned. He was reportedly angry about how Bills owner [[Ralph Wilson]] handled the re-signing of Simpson, who had demanded a trade at the beginning of the season.<ref name="Saban quits Bills again">{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1976 |title=Saban quits Bills over O.J. affair |page=16 |work=Star-News |agency=United Press International |location=Buffalo |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=krksAAAAIBAJ&pg=5658,3313590&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062856/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=krksAAAAIBAJ&pg=5658%2C3313590&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban was replaced by [[Jim Ringo]], who he had hired as an assistant in 1972.<ref name="Saban quits Bills again" /> Wilson held a grudge against Saban for the rest of his life after his second resignation, refusing to put Saban on the Bills' Wall of Fame because, in Wilson's words, "he quit on me twice!"<ref>Pollock, Chuck (March 27, 2014). [http://m.oleantimesherald.com/sports/article_8437910c-b56b-11e3-a1f2-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm Pollock: Some fond memories of the Bills’ late owner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312165404/http://oleantimesherald.com/sports/article_8437910c-b56b-11e3-a1f2-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm |date=March 12, 2020 }}. ''Olean Times Herald''. Retrieved March 27, 2014.</ref> [[Walt Patulski]], the Bills' first overall draft pick in 1972, also held ill will toward Saban after Buffalo, believing that Saban tried to force his personality onto Patulski and that the effort effectively ruined his career; Patulski would never speak to Saban again after their respective times in Buffalo, despite multiple opportunities to do so.<ref>Graham, Tim (November 19, 2016). [http://buffalonews.com/2016/11/19/busting-40-years-nfl-darkness-walt-patulski-explains-went-wrong/ After 40 years in the NFL darkness, Walt Patulski explains how it all went wrong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409111333/http://buffalonews.com/2016/11/19/busting-40-years-nfl-darkness-walt-patulski-explains-went-wrong/ |date=April 9, 2017 }}. ''The Buffalo News''. Retrieved November 19, 2016.</ref>

===Return to college ranks===
Following his resignation from the Bills, Saban took a post as athletic director at the [[University of Cincinnati]] in November 1976.<ref name="Saban at Cincinnati">{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1976 |title=Sports Briefs |page=24 |work=The Virgin Islands Daily News |agency=Associated Press |location=Cincinnati |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tbdNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2888,378773&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062928/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tbdNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2888%2C378773&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He resigned 19 days later, however, and took a job as the head coach at the [[Miami Hurricanes football|University of Miami]], reportedly for a $375,000 salary (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|375000|1976|r=-4}}}} today).<ref name="Saban out at Cincinnati">{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1976 |title=Cincy grid coach takes Arizona job |page=9 |work=Williamson Daily News |agency=Associated Press |location=Cincinnati |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NY1DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5577,5202103&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062924/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NY1DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5577%2C5202103&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Saban takes Miami job">{{Cite news |date=December 28, 1976 |title=Miami U job to Lou Saban |page=3B |work=St. Joseph Gazette |agency=Associated Press |location=Miami |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ux9dAAAAIBAJ&pg=1269,5457447&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062857/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ux9dAAAAIBAJ&pg=1269%2C5457447&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He had double-bypass [[Cardiac surgery|heart surgery]] at the [[Cleveland Clinic]] in the summer of 1977, but recovered by the time Miami's season began later that year.<ref name="Saban has heart surgery">{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1977 |title=Miami's Saban Plans 'Routine' Heart Surgery |page=5C |work=Sarasota Journal |agency=Associated Press |location=Miami, Ohio |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gP8cAAAAIBAJ&pg=6530,5503167&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062905/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gP8cAAAAIBAJ&pg=6530%2C5503167&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Saban ready for Miami season">{{Cite news |date=August 9, 1977 |title=Saban Ready For New Season |page=6B |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |agency=Associated Press |location=Miami |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8XseAAAAIBAJ&pg=2307,3326557&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> When Saban came to Miami, the football team had won just five games in the previous two seasons.<ref name="Saban ready for Miami season" />

Miami posted a 3–8 record in Saban's first year, but improved to 6–5 in 1978.<ref name="Saban college coaching stats">{{Cite web |title=Louis H. "Lou" Saban Records by Year |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2054 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019093844/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2054 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=August 11, 2012 |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}}</ref> Saban instituted an extensive recruiting network to rebuild Miami's program, and was named the school's athletic director in early 1978.<ref name="Saban named Miami AD">{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1978 |title=Lou Saban Named Miami AD |page=6B |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |agency=Associated Press |location=Miami |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wYgfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1306,2446699&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> One of his recruits was quarterback [[Jim Kelly]], who starred at Miami and went on to a [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] career with the Bills.<ref name="Saban recruits Kelly">{{Cite news |date=April 16, 1979 |title=Hurricane quarterbacks uncut jewels |page=2B |work=Boca Raton News |agency=Associated press |location=Coral Gables |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WDUzAAAAIBAJ&pg=5545,3424773&dq=lou-saban+jim+kelly&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref>

Despite Miami's improvement in 1978, Saban departed the school amid controversy. That April, three freshman Miami players attacked a 22-year-old [[Jewish]] man wearing a [[yarmulke]] who was walking to religious services on campus.{{sfn|Feldman|2004|p=17}} They threw the man, who worked at a campus gathering place for UM's Jewish community, into Lake Osceola at the center of campus.{{sfn|Feldman|2004|p=17}} When Saban returned to campus a few days later, he was unaware the man was Jewish and reportedly said "Getting thrown in the lake? Sounds like fun to me."{{sfn|Feldman|2004|p=17}} Miami's Jewish community complained, and despite numerous apologies, Saban offered to resign mid-season. Saban was convinced to remain through the end of the season, however, before leaving to coach at [[Army Black Knights football|Army]].{{sfn|Feldman|2004|pp=17–18}}

By the time Saban joined Army, he had developed a reputation as an itinerant coach, a "notorious job-hopper" who was nevertheless respected for rebuilding teams in poor condition.<ref name="Saban intends to stay at Army">{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1979 |title=Lou Saban Intends To Stay At Army |page=A6 |work=Herald-Journal |agency=Associated Press |location=New York |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LkEsAAAAIBAJ&pg=5334,825443&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063530/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LkEsAAAAIBAJ&pg=5334%2C825443&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban said he wanted to stay at Army "until they put me out to pasture".<ref name="Saban intends to stay at Army" /> Saban stayed at Army for only one season. He said he was unhappy with the academy's unwillingness to invest more in its football program. "This is a desperate situation", he said near the end of the 1979 season. "To fight alone as a football staff is impossible."<ref name="Saban complains at Army">{{Cite news |last=White |first=Gordon S. Jr. |date=December 1, 1979 |title=Army-Navy could be first – and last – for Saban |page=29 |work=The Day |agency=New York Times News Service |location=New York |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3fkgAAAAIBAJ&pg=2993,131459&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063613/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3fkgAAAAIBAJ&pg=2993%2C131459&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He resigned in July 1980 after leading Army to a 2–8–1 record the previous season.<ref name="Saban leaves Army">{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1980 |title=Cavanaugh Replaces Lou Saban At Army |page=4E |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |location=West Point, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zpwcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6837,1165839&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063811/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zpwcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6837%2C1165839&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Saban next worked for [[George Steinbrenner]], first in 1980 as an executive at Steinbrenner's [[Tampa Bay Downs]] racetrack and the following year as president of the [[New York Yankees]] of [[Major League Baseball]].<ref name="Saban NYT obit" /><ref name="Saban with Yankees">{{Cite news |last=Durso |first=Joseph |date=March 3, 1981 |title=Saban's In The Unlikely Role Of Yank President |page=6B |work=Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal |agency=New York Times News Service |location=St. Petersburg |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a3ApAAAAIBAJ&pg=3003,1263139&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063812/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a3ApAAAAIBAJ&pg=3003%2C1263139&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He took the post as a favor to Steinbrenner, a close friend who had served on his coaching staff at Northwestern in 1955.<ref name="Saban reason for Yankees job">{{Cite news |last=Lupica |first=Mike |date=April 11, 2011 |title=Mayor Bloomberg wandering aimlessly through third term as Cathie Black hiring backfires |work=New York Daily News |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-04-11/local/29423516_1_bloomberg-and-black-schools-chancellor-third-term |url-status=dead |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911165619/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-04-11/local/29423516_1_bloomberg-and-black-schools-chancellor-third-term |archive-date=September 11, 2012}}</ref>{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=74}}

At the end of 1982, Saban left the Yankees to take a job as head football coach at the [[UCF Knights football|University of Central Florida]] (UCF), a [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] school that aspired to move its program to the top of the college ranks.<ref name="Saban with UCF">{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1982 |title=Central Florida Names Lou Saban Coach |page=1B |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |agency=Associated Press |location=Orlando |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=atohAAAAIBAJ&pg=1462,4152166&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063814/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=atohAAAAIBAJ&pg=1462%2C4152166&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He took over a team that had gone 0–10 in 1982 and led the Knights to a 5–6 record in 1983.<ref name="Saban with UCF" /><ref name="Saban first SMU season">{{Cite news |date=November 28, 1983 |title=SMU Defense Halts Houston, 34–12 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-smu-defense-halts-houst/166308862/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Miami Herald |page=3D |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He resigned midway through the 1984 season with UCF's record at 1–6. Saban, by then 63 years old, said he had a meeting with school officials and felt he "had no part in their plans for the future".<ref name="Saban leaves UCF">{{Cite news |date=October 13, 1984 |title=Lou Saban does it again: bids another job farewell |page=10 |work=Spokane Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |location=Orlando, Florida |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=3655,3315570&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063814/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=3655%2C3315570&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> At UCF, Saban was playfully referred to as Lou "two point two" Saban because his average tenure as a coach was 2.2 years.<ref name="Saban at Milwaukee" /> He was replaced by his assistant, [[Jerry Anderson (American football coach)|Jerry Anderson]].<ref name="Saban replaced at UCF">{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1984 |title=Football: Saban |page=17 |work=Record-Journal |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eeJHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2829,3805516&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063820/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eeJHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2829%2C3805516&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Saban retired in 1985 to [[Hendersonville, North Carolina]].<ref name="Saban NYT obit" /> He came out of retirement in 1986, however, to coach high school football in [[Stuart, Florida]], serving as the defensive coordinator for the [[Martin County High School|Martin County High School Fighting Tigers]].<ref name="Saban with Martin High School">{{Cite news |date=August 18, 1986 |title=Saban Coaching Again |page=21 |work=Toledo Blade |location=Stuart, Florida |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0k9PAAAAIBAJ&pg=4953,988833&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063841/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0k9PAAAAIBAJ&pg=4953%2C988833&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He left after two seasons and was appointed head football coach at [[South Fork High School]], a rival of Martin County that had a record of 1–9 the previous year.<ref name="Saban to South Fork">{{Cite news |date=1988-01-22 |title=Saban moves on to next stop |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-saban-moves-on-to-next-st/166308992/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Miami News |page=B1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> After just one season at South Fork, Saban resigned in March 1989 to take a job as head coach at [[Georgetown High School (South Carolina)|Georgetown High School]] in [[Georgetown, South Carolina]].<ref name="Saban moves to Georgetown">{{Cite news |date=March 13, 1989 |title=Saban may coach preps |page=2B |work=Star-News |location=Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZlFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=4250,4358753&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063844/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZlFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=4250%2C4358753&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban said he was there to have fun and enjoy life, and that his reputation as a coaching "nomad" bothered him. "I've had no chance but to continue on", he said.<ref name="Saban in Georgetown">{{Cite news |date=1989-08-30 |title=Call me Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-call-me-coach/166309118/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Modesto Bee |page=G3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Saban was hired in 1990 to coach the Middle Georgia Heat Wave, a semipro team in [[Macon, Georgia]], but he left after just four games. Team officials said it was "not a firing", while Saban said there were differences in philosophy and it was "not a resignation."<ref name="Saban leaves Heat Wave">{{Cite news |date=August 8, 1990 |title=Lou Saban Leaves Macon's Heat Wave |page=4D |work=The Albany Herald |agency=Associated Press |location=Macon, Ga. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nIpEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3902,1051072&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063844/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nIpEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3902%2C1051072&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Saban next took a job in 1991 as head coach at [[Peru State College]] in [[Nebraska]], compiling a 7–4 record.<ref name="Saban at Peru State">{{Cite news |date=April 20, 1991 |title=People in Sports |page=2C |work=Eugene Register-Guard |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QLVYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1619,4343907&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063855/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QLVYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1619%2C4343907&dq=lou-saban&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He resigned in January 1992 because of a new rule that required him to teach at the school, a responsibility he did not want to take on.<ref name="Saban out at Peru">{{Cite news |date=January 30, 1992 |title=College Football |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-30-sp-1307-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020201/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-01-30/sports/sp-1307_1_college-football |archive-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref>

Saban next signed on as an assistant with the [[Tampa Bay Storm]] of the [[Arena Football League]].<ref name="Saban at Milwaukee">{{Cite news |last=Greene |first=Jerry |date=May 27, 1994 |title=Saban Gives Arena Football A Shot |work=Orlando Sentinels |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/05/27/saban-gives-arena-football-a-shot/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032100/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-05-27/sports/9405270834_1_lou-saban-milwaukee-mustangs-predators |archive-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref> Two years later, he was named as the coach of the arena league's expansion [[Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001)|Milwaukee Mustangs]] but was fired after the team started 0–4.<ref name="Saban at Milwaukee" /><ref name="Saban fired by Mustangs">{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Charles |date=1994-06-14 |title=Saban is fired by Mustangs |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/waumpbyuntaqgttybutvtjxjugsvmnlm_ip-10-166-46-75_1740108920947 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=B1 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]]}}</ref> The team's general manager said he wanted to be competitive and thought the club "needed a change".<ref name="Saban fired by Mustangs" /> Shortly after his firing, Saban signed on to help start a football program at [[Alfred State College]], a two-year technology school southeast of Buffalo.<ref name="Saban gets Alfred job">{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1994 |title=73-year-old Saban gets yet another football coaching job |page=25 |work=Toledo Blade |agency=Associated Press |location=Alfred, N.Y. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gUExAAAAIBAJ&pg=4386,8253137&dq=lou-saban+alfred&hl=en |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107063845/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gUExAAAAIBAJ&pg=4386%2C8253137&dq=lou-saban+alfred&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1995, Saban was named the first head football coach at [[State University of New York at Canton|SUNY Canton]], a two-year college where he stayed for six seasons.<ref name="Saban SUNY Canton obit">{{Cite web |title=SUNY Canton Mourns Former Coach Lou Saban |url=http://www.canton.edu/news/index.php/tag/lou-saban/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807000527/http://www.canton.edu/news/index.php/tag/lou-saban/ |archive-date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=August 11, 2012 |publisher=SUNY Canton}}</ref> His Canton team was an immediate success, posting a 7–0 record in 1995 and a 34–16 overall record during Saban's time as coach.<ref name="Saban SUNY Canton obit" /> The school named its football field after Saban in the late 1990s.<ref name="Saban SUNY Canton obit" />

Saban's final job, which he took at 80 years old, was as head coach at [[Chowan University]] in [[Murfreesboro, North Carolina]].<ref name="Saban at Chowan">{{Cite news |date=October 9, 2001 |title=College Football: Alcorn State player shot to death |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/College-Football-Alcorn-State-player-shot-to-1068240.php |url-status=dead |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213638/http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/College-Football-Alcorn-State-player-shot-to-1068240.php |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> He compiled a 2–13 record at Chowan between 2001 and 2002.<ref name="Saban leaves Chowan">{{Cite news |date=December 11, 2002 |title=Saban steps down at Chowan |work=United Press International |url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/12/11/Saban-steps-down-at-Chowan/UPI-13541039633053/ |url-status=dead |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061440/http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/12/11/Saban-steps-down-at-Chowan/UPI-13541039633053/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In his later years, Saban had heart problems and a fall in his home that required hospitalization. He died at his home in [[North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]], on March 29, 2009.<ref name="Saban AP obit" /> He was married to his first wife, Lorraine, and had a son, Thomas, and 3 daughters, Patricia, Barbara, and Christine. Lorraine committed suicide at their home in Orchard Park, New York, in the summer of 1977 while readying to join Lou at his new job in Miami. He shared seven children with his second wife, Joyce<ref name="Saban at NNDB">{{Cite web |title=Lou Saban |url=http://www.nndb.com/people/802/000167301/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017235943/http://www.nndb.com/people/802/000167301/ |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |access-date=August 11, 2012 |publisher=NNDB}}</ref> but they did not have any children together.

Lou Saban shares his last name with another famous football coach, [[Nick Saban]]. They were called "distant cousins" in a 2005 article where Lou comments on the younger Saban's success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sabans Know Coaching |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-12-04/sports/0512040104_1_nick-lou-saban-browns-buffalo-bills-coach |access-date=December 5, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208144627/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-12-04/sports/0512040104_1_nick-lou-saban-browns-buffalo-bills-coach |url-status=dead }}</ref> Upon the death of Lou Saban, his widow, Joyce Saban, said the two men might have been second cousins.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2009 |title=Lou Saban dies at 87; NFL coach and Yankees executive |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-lou-saban30-2009mar30-story.html |via=LA Times |access-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714101718/https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-lou-saban30-2009mar30-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lou Saban stated he is a cousin of Nick Saban. Like Lou Saban, Nick Saban is of [[Croats|Croatian]] descent.

==Legacy==
Including his stops at both two- and four-year schools, Saban's overall collegiate coaching record was 94–99–4. Including playoffs, his professional football record stands at 97–101–7.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 30, 2009 |title=Football coach Lou Saban dies; his sports career spanned 50 years |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-30-me-lou-saban30-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102173118/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/30/local/me-lou-saban30 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Saban had periods of success as a player and as a coach at the college and professional levels, but his constant moves from job to job eventually came to define him.<ref name="Saban gets Alfred job" /> "I have been known as a peripatetic coach", he said in 1994. "The first time I was called that, I thought it was a dirty word. I looked it up in the dictionary and found it meant I moved around a lot."<ref name="Saban gets Alfred job" /> Saban was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1994<ref name="Saban at Buffalo HOF">{{Cite web |title=Lou Saban |url=http://buffalosportshallfame.com/member/lou-saban/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222174710/http://buffalosportshallfame.com/member/lou-saban/ |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |access-date=August 11, 2012 |publisher=Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame}}</ref> and, in a surprise move, was added to the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in 2015,<ref name="Fox WOF">[http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/bills-honor-late-coach-lou-saban-091315 Bills honor late coach Lou Saban] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015204720/http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/bills-honor-late-coach-lou-saban-091315 |date=October 15, 2015 }}. ''Fox Sports''. Retrieved September 13, 2015.</ref> which occurred after Ralph Wilson's death in 2014 and his estate selling the team to current owner [[Terry Pegula]]. In 2011, the [[Professional Football Researchers Association]] named Saban to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Very Good Class of 2011 |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2011.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902011938/http://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2011.htm |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |access-date=November 23, 2016}}</ref>

==Coaching tree==
Assistants under Saban who became college or professional head coaches:
* [[Mike Holovak]]: [[New England Patriots]] (1961–1968), [[New York Jets]] (1976)
* [[Joe Collier]]: [[Buffalo Bills]] (1966–1968)
* [[Harvey Johnson (coach)|Harvey Johnson]]: [[Buffalo Bills]] (1968, 1971)
* [[John Mazur]]: [[New England Patriots]] (1970–1972)
* [[Jerry Smith (American football coach)|Jerry Smith]]: [[Denver Broncos]] (1971)
* [[Dick MacPherson]]: [[Massachusetts Minutemen]] (1971–1977), [[Syracuse Orangemen]] (1981–1990), [[New England Patriots]] (1991–1992)
* [[Jim Ringo]]: [[Buffalo Bills]] (1976–1977)
* [[Sam Rutigliano]]: [[Cleveland Browns]] (1977–1984), [[Liberty Flames]] (1989–1999)
* [[Red Miller]]: [[Denver Broncos]] (1977–1980), [[Denver Gold]] (1983)

Additionally, [[Marty Schottenheimer]], who played for Saban from 1965 to 1968 with the AFL's Bills, was influenced by Saban's coaching philosophy. Schottenheimer and the coaches he influenced are considered to be in Saban's coaching tree.<ref name="Saban coaching tree">{{Cite web |last=Oremland |first=Brad |title=The NFL Coaching Tree 2008 |url=http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2008/02/22/the_nfl_coaching_tree_2008_pt_1.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401023915/http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2008/02/22/the_nfl_coaching_tree_2008_pt_1.php |archive-date=April 1, 2008 |access-date=September 9, 2012 |publisher=Sports Central}}</ref>

<!--This needs better sourcing; references specifically to all of these people do not appear to exist in reliable sources I can find...in any event, many are included in the sourced coaching tree:

Schottenheimer and other coaches influenced by Saban are considered to be in Lou Saban's [[coaching tree]]. They include:

* [[Marty Schottenheimer]]
* [[Joe Collier]]
* [[Cam Cameron]]
* [[Bill Cowher]]
* [[Herm Edwards]]
* [[Tony Dungy]]
* [[Marvin Lewis]]
* [[Ken Whisenhunt]]
* [[Lovie Smith]]
* [[Rod Marinelli]]
* [[Mike Tomlin]]
* [[Sam Rutigliano]]

-->

{{chart top|width=100%|Lou Saban coaching tree}}
{{tree chart/start|align=center}}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | |LS| | | | |LS=Lou Saban<br><small>[[Boston Patriots]], 1961–61<br>[[Buffalo Bills]], 1962–65<br>[[Denver Broncos]], 1967–71<br>Buffalo Bills, 1972–76</small>}}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | }}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | |MS| | | | | |MS=[[Marty Schottenheimer]]<br><small>[[Cleveland Browns]], 1984–88<br>[[Kansas City Chiefs]], 1989–98<br>[[Washington Redskins]], 2001<br>[[San Diego Chargers]], 2002–06</small>}}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | }}
{{tree chart| | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | }}
{{tree chart| | | | |TD| | | | |HE| |BC| |MM| |HE=[[Herm Edwards]]<br><small>[[New York Jets|Jets]], 2001–05<br>[[Kansas City Chiefs|Chiefs]], 2006–08</small>|TD=[[Tony Dungy]]<br><small>[[Tampa Bay Buccaneers|Bucs]], 1996–2001<br>[[Indianapolis Colts|Colts]], 2002–08</small>|BC=[[Bill Cowher]]<br><small>[[Pittsburgh Steelers|Steelers]], 1992–2006</small>|MM=[[Mike McCarthy]]<br><small>[[Green Bay Packers|Packers]], 2006–18</small>,<small> [[Dallas Cowboys|Cowboys]] 2020–</small>}}
{{tree chart| |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | |,|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|.}}
{{tree chart|LS| |RM| |MT| |ML| |KW| |MM| | | | |LS=[[Lovie Smith]]<br><small>[[Chicago Bears|Bears]], 2004–2012<br>[[Tampa Bay Buccaneers|Buccaneers]], 2014–2015<br>[[Houston Texans|Texans]], 2022</small>|RM=[[Rod Marinelli]]<br><small>[[Detroit Lions|Lions]], 2006–08</small>|MT=[[Mike Tomlin]]<br><small>[[Pittsburgh Steelers|Steelers]], 2007–</small>|ML=[[Marvin Lewis]]<br><small>[[Cincinnati Bengals|Bengals]], 2003–18</small>|KW=[[Ken Whisenhunt]]<br><small>[[Arizona Cardinals|Cardinals]], 2007–2012<br>[[Tennessee Titans|Titans]], 2014–2015</small>|MM=[[Mike Mularkey]]<br><small>[[Buffalo Bills|Bills]], 2004–05<br>[[Jacksonville Jaguars|Jaguars]], 2012</small> <br><small>[[Tennessee Titans|Titans]], 2016–2017</small>}}
{{tree chart/end}}
{{chart bottom}}

==Head coaching record==
===College===
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Case Western Reserve Spartans football|Case Tech Rough Riders]]
 | conf      = Independent
 | startyear = 1950
 | endyear   = 1952
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1950 college football season|1950]]
 | name         = Case Tech
 | overall      = 4–4
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1951 college football season|1951]]
 | name         = Case Tech
 | overall      = 3–5–1
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1952 college football season|1952]]
 | name         = Case Tech
 | overall      = 3–5
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Case
 | overall    = 10–14–1
 | confrecord = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Northwestern Wildcats football|Northwestern Wildcats]]
 | conf      = [[Big Ten Conference]]
 | startyear = 1955
 | endyear   = single
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1955 college football season|1955]]
 | name         = [[1955 Northwestern Wildcats football team|Northwestern]]
 | overall      = 0–8–1
 | conference   = 0–6–1
 | confstanding = 10th
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Northwestern
 | overall    = 0–8–1
 | confrecord = 0–6–1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Western Illinois Leathernecks football|Western Illinois Leathernecks]]
 | conf      = [[Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]]
 | startyear = 1957
 | endyear   = 1959
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1957 college football season|1957]]
 | name         = Western Illinois
 | overall      = 5–4
 | conference   = 4–2
 | confstanding = T–2nd
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1958 college football season|1958]]
 | name         = [[1958 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team|Western Illinois]]
 | overall      = 6–1–1
 | conference   = 5–1
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1959 college football season|1959]]
 | name         = [[1959 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team|Western Illinois]]
 | overall      = 9–0
 | conference   = 6–0
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Western Illinois
 | overall    = 20–5–1
 | confrecord = 15–3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland Terrapins]]
 | conf      = [[Atlantic Coast Conference]]
 | startyear = 1966
 | endyear   = single
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1966 NCAA University Division football season|1966]]
 | name         = [[1966 Maryland Terrapins football team|Maryland]]
 | overall      = 4–6
 | conference   = 3–3
 | confstanding = T–3rd
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Maryland
 | overall    = 4–6
 | confrecord = 3–3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami Hurricanes]]
 | conf      = [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|NCAA Division I/I-A independent]]
 | startyear = 1977
 | endyear   = 1978
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1977 NCAA Division I football season|1977]]
 | name         = [[1977 Miami Hurricanes football team|Miami]]
 | overall      = 3–8
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1978 NCAA Division I-A football season|1978]]
 | name         = [[1978 Miami Hurricanes football team|Miami]]
 | overall      = 6–5
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Miami
 | overall    = 9–13
 | confrecord = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Army Black Knights football|Army Cadets]]
 | conf      = [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|NCAA Division I-A independent]]
 | startyear = 1979
 | endyear   = single
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1979 NCAA Division I-A football season|1979]]
 | name         = [[1979 Army Cadets football team|Army]]
 | overall      = 2–8–1
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Army
 | overall    = 2–8–1
 | confrecord = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[UCF Knights football|UCF Knights]]
 | conf      = [[NCAA Division II independent schools|NCAA Division II independent]]
 | startyear = 1983
 | endyear   = 1984
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1983 NCAA Division II football season|1983]]
 | name         = [[1983 UCF Knights football team|UCF]]
 | overall      = 5–6
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1984 NCAA Division II football season|1984]]
 | name         = [[1984 UCF Knights football team|UCF]]
 | overall      = 1–6*
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = UCF
 | overall    = 6–12
 | confrecord = 
}}*<small>Fired after 7 games</small>
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Peru State Bobcats football|Peru State Bobcats]]
 | conf      = [[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Division II independent]]
 | startyear = 1991
 | endyear   = single
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1991 NAIA Division II football season|1991]]
 | name         = Peru State
 | overall      = 7–4
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = [[1991 NAIA Division II football season|NAIA Division II Semifinal]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Peru State
 | overall    = 7–4
 | confrecord = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Chowan Hawks football|Chowan Braves]]
 | conf      = [[USA South Athletic Conference|Dixie Conference]]
 | startyear = 2001
 | endyear   = 2002
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2001 NCAA Division III football season|2001]]
 | name         = Chowan
 | overall      = 2–3
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2002 NCAA Division III football season|2002]]
 | name         = Chowan
 | overall      = 0–10
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Chowan
 | overall    = 2–13
 | confrecord = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall  = 60–83–4
 | bowls    = no
 | poll     = no
 | polltype = 
}}

===AFL/NFL===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
![[1960 Boston Patriots season|BOS]]||[[1960 AFL season|1960]]
||5||9||0||{{winperc|5|9}}||4th in AFL East|| – || – || – || 
|-
![[1961 Boston Patriots season|BOS]]||[[1961 AFL season|1961]]
||2||3||-||{{winperc|2|3}}||Fired|| – || – || – || 
|-
![[1962 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1962 AFL season|1962]]
||7||6||1||{{winperc|7|6|1}}||3rd in AFL East|| – || – || – || 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1963 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1963 AFL season|1963]]
||7||6||1||{{winperc|7|6|1}}||'''T-1st in AFL East'''|| 0 || 1 || {{winperc|0|1}} || <Small>'''Lost to [[Boston Patriots]] in [[1963 American Football League Championship Game#Eastern Division playoff|Eastern Division playoff]]'''</Small>
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1964 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1964 AFL season|1964]]
||12||2||0||{{winperc|12|2}}||'''1st in AFL East'''|| 1 || 0 || {{winperc|1|0}} || <Small>'''Won [[1964 American Football League Championship Game|AFL Championship]]'''</Small>
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1965 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1965 AFL season|1965]]
||10||3||1||{{winperc|10|3|1}}||'''1st in AFL East'''|| 1 || 0|| {{winperc|1|0}} || <Small>'''Won [[1965 American Football League Championship Game|AFL Championship]]'''</Small>
|-
![[1967 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]||[[1967 AFL season|1967]]
||3||11||0||{{winperc|3|11}}||4th in AFL West|| – || – || – || 
|-
![[1968 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]||[[1968 AFL season|1968]]
||5||9||0||{{winperc|5|9}}||4th in AFL West|| – || – || – || 
|-
![[1969 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]||[[1969 AFL season|1969]]
||5||8||1||{{winperc|5|8|1}}||4th in AFL West|| – || – || – || 
|-
! colspan="2"| AFL total|| 56 || 57 || 4 || {{winperc|56|57|4}} |||| 2 || 1 || {{winperc|2|1}} || 2 AFL titles, 2 AFL division championships
|-
![[1970 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]||[[1970 NFL season|1970]]
||5||8||1||{{winperc|5|8|1}}||4th in AFC West|| – || – || – ||
|-
![[1971 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]||[[1971 NFL season|1971]]
||2||6||1||{{winperc|2|6|1}}||Resigned|| – || – || – ||
|-
![[1972 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1972 NFL season|1972]]
||4||9||1||{{winperc|4|9|1}}||4th in AFC East|| – || – || – ||
|-
![[1973 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1973 NFL season|1973]]
||9||5||0||{{winperc|9|5}}||2nd in AFC East|| – || – || – ||
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1974 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1974 NFL season|1974]]
||9||5||0||{{winperc|9|5}}||'''2nd in AFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || {{winperc|0|1}} || <Small>'''Lost to [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] in [[1974–75 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''</Small>
|-
![[1975 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1975 NFL season|1975]]
||8||6||0||{{winperc|8|6}}||3rd in AFC East|| – || – || – || 
|-
![[1976 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[1976 NFL season|1976]]
||2||3||0||{{winperc|2|3}}||Resigned || – || – || – || 
|-
! colspan="2"|NFL total|| 39 || 42 || 3 || {{winperc|39|42|3}} |||| 0 || 1 || {{winperc|0|1}} ||
|-
! colspan="2"|Professional total|| 95 || 99 || 7 || {{winperc|95|99|7}} |||| 2 || 2 || {{winperc|2|2}} || 2 AFL titles, 2 AFL/NFL division championships
|}

===Junior college===
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Canton Northstars football|Canton Northstars]]
 | conf      = [[NJCAA independent schools|NJCAA independent]]
 | startyear = 1995
 | endyear   = 1996
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1995 junior college football season|1995]]
 | name         = Canton
 | overall      = 7–0
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1996 junior college football season|1996]]
 | name         = Canton
 | overall      = 6–3
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Canton Northstars football|Canton Northstars]]
 | conf      = [[Northeast Football Conference]]
 | startyear = 1997
 | endyear   = 2000
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1997 junior college football season|1997]]
 | name         = Canton
 | overall      = 6–3
 | conference   = 3–2
 | confstanding = T–2nd
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1998 junior college football season|1998]]
 | name         = Canton
 | overall      = 5–3
 | conference   = 3–3
 | confstanding = T–3rd
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1999 junior college football season|1999]]
 | name         = Canton
 | overall      = 5–3
 | conference   = 4–2
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2000 junior college football season|2000]]
 | name         = Canton
 | overall      = 5–4
 | conference   = 1–4
 | confstanding = 6th
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Canton
 | overall    = 34–16
 | confrecord = 11–11
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall  = 34–16
 | bowls    = no
 | poll     = no
 | polltype = 
}}
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Archives 1995 - 2000 |url=http://www.canton.edu/scripts/t3cgi.exe/can/can_start.taf?page=sports_mnfb_arc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010728235028/http://www.canton.edu/scripts/t3cgi.exe/can/can_start.taf?page=sports_mnfb_arc |archive-date=July 28, 2001 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |publisher=SUNY Canton}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[[List of American Football League players]]

==References==

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Bibliography===

{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Feldman |first=Bruce |url=https://archive.org/details/canemutiny00bruc_0/page/17 |title=Cane Mutiny: How the Miami Hurricanes Overturned the Football Establishment |publisher=[[New American Library]] |year=2004 |isbn=0-451-21297-5 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/canemutiny00bruc_0/page/17 17–18] |url-access=registration}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gruver |first=Ed |title=The American Football League: A Year-by-Year History, 1960–1969 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc. |year=1997 |isbn=0-7864-0399-3 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina}}
* {{Cite book |last=LaTourette |first=Larry |title=Northwestern Wildcat Football |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7385-3433-6 |location=Mount Pleasant, South Carolina}}
* {{Cite book |last=Piascik |first=Andy |title=The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-58979-571-6 |location=Lanham, Maryland}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Footballstats |nfl=lou-saban |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=S/SabaLo20 |rotoworld= }}
* {{Find a Grave}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Lou Saban—head coach, general manager, athletic director, and executive roles
| list1 =
{{Case Western Spartans football coach navbox}}
{{Northwestern Wildcats football coach navbox}}
{{Western Illinois Leathernecks football coach navbox}}
{{New England Patriots coach navbox}}
{{Maryland Terrapins football coach navbox}}
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{{UCF Knights football coach navbox}}
{{Peru State Bobcats football coach navbox}}
{{Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001)}}
{{Chowan Hawks football coach navbox}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Lou Saban—championships, awards, and honors
| list1 =
{{Chicago Cardinals 1944 draft navbox}}
{{1946 Cleveland Browns}}
{{1947 Cleveland Browns}}
{{1948 Cleveland Browns}}
{{1949 Cleveland Browns}}
{{1960 Boston Patriots}}
{{1964 Buffalo Bills}}
{{1965 Buffalo Bills}}
{{Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saban, Lou}}
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[[Category:Accidental deaths from falls in the United States]]
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