Shula gets his statue before Saban

Filing it under "coincidences being more amusing than reality," Don Shula's statue is unveiled outside of the newly renamed "Sun Life" Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins and this week's Super Bowl 44.

The coincidence coming this past week, Alabama officially announced its plans for a statue to honor Nick Saban after the Crimson Tide won the national championship. It's a tradition in Tuscaloosa to honor coaches this way along the "Walk of Champions," a plaza located outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Saban replaced Shula's son, Mike, as head coach of the Crimson Tide in 2007. A turn of events that was less than pleasing to Father Don on two fronts: Saban abandoned the Dolphins to replace his son in the SEC.