As the article suggests, hopefully it wasn't really because he went to see his father, hopefully it was just a personnel decision, but it wouldn't surprise me with Saban involved. Odd how it comes out 10 years after the fact.
Saban is a piece of work.. between this, stepping over a convulsing jeno james like a cheap rug.. and many other things... hes a great coach but glad hes not here
Saban is evil. I don't doubt that he would have done this. But Sam was always a fringe player as well, and getting cut simply on his ability was always a possibility. Would not surprise me if Saban just let him go rather than deal with him being gone for a few days to be with his dying father.