The work environment wasn’t easy, but Missouri offensive coordinator Derek Dooley knew two things would happen while he was on Nick Saban’s coaching staff: The team was going to win, and Dooley was going to improve as a coach.
Dooley worked under Saban for five seasons at LSU, and they won a national title together in 2003. When Saban took the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job in 2005, Dooley joined as the tight ends coach.
“I’ve had a lot of gratitude towards Nick because I wouldn’t be where I am without him,” Dooley said. “He really gave me as good of training as a young coach that any young coach could ask for.