Nick Saban reveals he tried to hire Dirk Koetter; McAfee quips he spent too much money on players

Alabama offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter?

It would have happened if it were up to Nick Saban.

The former Alabama coach revealed Saturday on “College GameDay” he tried to bring the Boise State coach to Tuscaloosa to be a part of his staff.

“I’m with Boise State, too,” Saban said when picking the Boise State-Georgia Southern game during the broadcast. “You know Dirk Koetter was one of the offensive coordinators I always tried to hire at Alabama and could never get him. He’s a Boise. He’ll do a great job.”

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Pat McAfee didn’t let the chance to take a jab at the former coach pass.

“That’s because you were spending all your money on your players, coach,” McAfee said.

Saban replied, “We had a low budget.”

Back in 2012, Saban was looking to seen who would succeed Jim McElwain as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.

Reports, citing sources, indicated Saban interviewed Koetter for the position. Instead, the former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach accepted a job as the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator, taking him out of the mix.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.