Saban gets a statue? Is his birthday a holiday now, too?
A "Bear" Bryant statue at Alabama is understandable ...
All hail, Nick Saban.
After only three seasons, Alabama is building a statue for its football coach. Can’t imagine what he gets if the Crimson Tide wins another championship. Does the school attempt a hostile takeover of neighboring states and give him parts of Mississippi and south Georgia? Maybe some coastline, between Pensacola and Panama City? Or was that already included in his original contract?
Alabama, coming off its BCS title in Saban’s third season, confirmed that a bronze statue of the coach already is in the works. It is expected to be completed by April 17, the day of the annual “A Day” spring game, when all banks and Walmarts will be closed.
Plans are for Saban to be carried into the stadium that day by servants, with
... But isn't it a little early for a statue of Nick Saban?
trumpets blaring and angels singing. OK. Might’ve made that part up.
Three years and you get a statue? Most jobs, you don’t even get vested for 10.
“We are sculpting clay right now and we have pretty good direction on what they want for the look of it,” project manager Corey Beltz said. “Coach Saban’s love of student-athletes, his love of being a teacher, that is what we have been asked to emphasize. He won’t be in a suit and tie — that’s not his style. It will reflect more of his role as an encourager, a director, that’s the general direction. They’re sculpting the face right now.”
The eyes. There’s something about those haunting eyes . . .
The 12-foot statue will stand outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium, along with those of four other coaches who won championships: Paul “Bear” Bryant, Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas and Gene Stallings.
Alabama moves quickly to celebrate its football coaches. I don’t believe alumnus Harper Lee has a statue outside the stadium. But all she did was win a Pulitzer Prize for writing, “To Kill A Mockingbird” and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Bernard Madoff attended Alabama for a while. He never got a statue, either.
It took 31 years (28 years as a head coach) before Bobby Bowden received a statue at Florida State.
Urban Meyer is still waiting. Maybe Florida just wants to see if he coaches the spring game first.
Georgia erected a statue for Vince Dooley in 2008 — 28 years after the Bulldogs’ national championship.
I think Bobby Ross is still waiting for his at Georgia Tech.
Come to think of it, so is Bobby Dodd.
Silly other schools. They must have other priorities.
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394 comments Add your comment
Jeff Slutz
January 29th, 2010
4:29 pm
ID….Must bash Alabama…as they are always gonna to better than any Georgia Football School
EGO….Would love Statute of myself….Would be nice to wake every morning to MYSELF
SUPEREGO….Alabama is better at football than Georgia and Georgia Tech…but i cant seem to congratulate them on winning so much….the black out still remembered…must take more anti-depressive medication and get some sleep before i realize how idiotic most of my articles are…..
Byron Mathison Kerr
January 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
Regarding Gene Stallings, yes. I found an article with several great photos: http://alabama.scout.com/2/563240.html
Paul in RDU
January 29th, 2010
4:37 pm
I love the comments about putting up a statue of an NC winning HC is a tradition at Alabama. However, I think Jeff’s point is that the haste to have the statue erected shows some interesting priorities.
The statue of Gene Stallings was unveiled in 2006 – a full 14 years after winning the NC.
Trying to get Saban’s in place by the A game? What’s the rush? It’s not like the NCAA is going to take the MNC away from Alabama as they didn’t award it in the first place.
UNTIL MARK RICHT WINS NCAA TITLE MUTT FANS SHUTUP
January 29th, 2010
4:40 pm
ALABAMA,FLORIDA AND LSU HAS TITLES,PLEASE MUTT FANS BE QUIET UNTIL UGAY WINS A NATIONAL TITLE!
Bryan H
January 29th, 2010
4:41 pm
Paul H, you ask, “Oh Bama fans… what would we do without you…”
Oh, I don’t know… host a Blackout and actually win?
Byron Mathison Kerr
January 29th, 2010
4:44 pm
To Paul in RDU, January 29th, 2010, 4:37 pm:
The Stadium Plaza statues were all unveiled on 1 Sep 2006 soon after the plaza was completed.
UNTIL MARK RICHT WINS NCAA TITLE MUTT FANS SHUTUP
January 29th, 2010
4:45 pm
IM FROM GEORGIA AND IM TIRED OF THE OVERRATED UGAY FANS BASHING FLORIDA AND ALABAMA WHEN WE CANT BEAT THEM!
P.S. THE UGAY FANS ARE THE CHAD OCHO CINCO FANS OF THE NCAA=THEY TALK BIG,BUT THEIR TEAM COMES UP SHORT AGAINST THE ALABAMA’S AND FLORIDA’S!
UNTIL MARK RICHT WINS NCAA TITLE MUTT FANS SHUTUP
January 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
I WISH THAT COACH RICHT HAD THAT SABAN AND MEYER FIRE! HE HAD IT AT MIAMI AND FLORIDA ST,UNTIL HE GOT TO UGAY!
P.S. PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLD MARK RICHT WHO LIKED RUNNING UP THE SCORE ON TEAMS!
Bobbyb5157
January 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
Jealous
One thing for sure
January 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
UGA fans, concentrate on beating Kentucky before you start talking trash. Do you have reservations in Shreveport next year? I’m sure they have some kind of rewards programs for frequent visitors.
Bama Mark
January 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
Alabama and Georgia are always in the news,we are winning national titles and Georgia is getting there players out of jail.Wow alot of leadership over at the pound.
Paul in RDU
January 29th, 2010
4:55 pm
Byron,
I knew about all 4 statues being unveiled at the same time in 2006. However, to read the comments from the ALA fans on here you’d think that there was some great long lasting tradition wherebys ALA erected a statue of the coach ASAP after winning an MNC. It’s obviously not true – Stallings was the only coach alive at the unveiling.
Why the rush to put up the statue to Saban? He’s not going anywhere, is he?
Bryan H
January 29th, 2010
5:05 pm
I don’t think you’d even see any comments on this page from us Bama fans had Chris [B]low not posted it on his ESPN SEC blog (why, I don’t know as it’s nothing more than a pathetic attempt at sophomoric sarcasm). I for one don’t generally read papers from the Yankee press (yes, I do realize the AJC is published in the city that that SOB Sherman didn’t do a good enough job of burning to the ground).
CRIMSON WHO DAT HAMMAH
January 29th, 2010
5:09 pm
JEFF – U STUPID IGNORANT SLUT – BAMA ERECTS STATUES FOR THE COACHES WHO HAVE WON NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ….SABAN DID – STATUE GOES UP ….
CRIMSON WHO DAT HAMMAH
January 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
THE STATUES ARE FOR COACHES THAT HAD WON NC’S AT BAMA IN 2006 WHEN THEY WERE ERECTED THEY HAD WALLACE WADE FRANK THOMAS PAUL BEAR BRYANT AND GENE STALLINGS AND NOW NICK SABAN
CRIMSON WHO DAT HAMMAH
January 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
BANTER WITH GA FANS NOT NECESSARY – GA GREAT PROGRAM , GREAT HISTORY , CLASSY FAN BASE ..VINCE DOOLEY AN INCREDIBLE 6 SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS AROUND THE BEARS YEARS ….JEFF JUST A NUT LOOKING FOR ATTENTION ,,,,
1eyedJack
January 29th, 2010
5:13 pm
Will it withstand the force of a thrown brick?
Byron Mathison Kerr
January 29th, 2010
5:13 pm
To Paul in RDU, January 29th, 2010, 4:55 pm:
To the best of my knowledge this tradition started in 2006 as a part of the Stadium Plaza project. Perhaps the misperceptions are due to the fact that even though this is relatively new tradition, it honors the decades long accomplishments of those coaches who won National Championships.
Personally, I do not see it as a rush. What would motivate the school to delay the project? Even if Nick Saban resigns from the team within the next hour, he has still earned his statue by our new tradition.
D Fence
January 29th, 2010
5:14 pm
Considerng how envious you Aubs are – does this mean you will erect a “we should have won one in 2003″ statue of Tubs? I can see it now – talk about a place for the pigeons with that pair of radars.
CRIMSON WHO DAT HAMMAH
January 29th, 2010
5:15 pm
THE THROWN BRICK WAS A MYTH AND NEVER HAPPENED
1eyedJack
January 29th, 2010
5:15 pm
How ’bout an F-350 and a heavy chain?
CRIMSON WHO DAT HAMMAH
January 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
U STUPID IGNORANT SLUT – COACH WINS NC – STATUE GOES UP – PERIOD
BlueRidgeDawg
January 29th, 2010
5:18 pm
Did I hear you right? They’re building a sphincter in honor of Saban.
1eyedJack
January 29th, 2010
5:19 pm
Just sayin’, he’ll be the only one of the assemblage that will have to actually coach under the pressure of his own visage in the quad.
Al
January 29th, 2010
5:23 pm
That is so funny. I’m a UA grad; but an Aubie by marriage . . .
Mike
January 29th, 2010
5:23 pm
Congratulations to the Alabama Crimson Tide on another championship and the start of another football dynasy! I realize that all the other teams in the SEC’s championships do not add up to the total championships at Alabama. We should not expect anyone at the Atlanta Journal/Constitution to be fair. Coach Bryant sued Furman Fisher/AJC and won! It looks like Schultz’s is in the same mold. Your job is safe because AJC set the standard when they did not fire Bisher years ago. Roll Tide!
alhsqb
January 29th, 2010
5:25 pm
Well first of all, Harper Lee attended Alabama, but never graduated…so no, she’s not an alumnus. (By the way, that would make her an alumnae…not the male alumnus…geez, what school did you go to).
She attended UA Law school.
But, she has been honored by the University of Alabama several times…I know, I’m a student at UA and have met her before.
Secondly, winning a national championship at Alabama is different than winning one at (insert school here).
Just like it’s different winning one @ Notre Dame, or winning a NCAA basketball title @ Kentucky or Duke.
It sounds condescending, but winning a title at Bama is just more of an honor than winning one anywhere else.
Sorry if that offends you.
At least when you write a snotty, hit-job of an article you can get your facts (and grammar) straight.
What's Great In College Football?
January 29th, 2010
5:39 pm
So, let’s say a coach had a .100 winning %, and won a National Championship. WOuld that coahc be called “great”?
Of coaches who have coached at least 5 years in Div 1, Richt’s .769 winning % is #4.
Spurrier’s is .717, Saban’s .710, Miles .687, Brown .677
According to this standard, losing is better, as long as you have 1 great year.
I don’t buy it. To me, it’s who wins the most games consistently.
Bama Bill
January 29th, 2010
5:47 pm
I can’t wait to see the Saban statute – All of the bloggers need to take the time to drive over to Tuscaloosa and take a look at the entire court-yard and yes the newest addition Saban – quite impressive bit of history and success.
Bravissimo
January 29th, 2010
5:48 pm
Maybe…while they build that statue..they can open a newspaper over there too?…get it?
1eyedJack
January 29th, 2010
5:49 pm
Where can we get tickets Bill?
patrick
January 29th, 2010
5:52 pm
toga
January 29th, 2010
1:22 pm
Saban is the best coach in the country, period. He deserves all the money, statues and beach front property he wants. If you look at the numbers.
========================================
OK
SABAN
Vs. SEC foes: 43-16
Vs. Top 25 foes: 22-13
Vs. Top 25 foes away from home: 11-8
Vs. Top 10 foes: 8-6
Vs. Top 10 foes away from home: 7-3
In postseason games (bowls and championships): 8-2
In games decided by a touchdown or less: 19-9
Record at home: 43-8
Record on the road: 20-11
Losses to unranked teams: 9
Top 25 finishes: 5
Top 10 finishes: 3
.
RICHT
Vs. SEC foes: 51-22
Vs. Top 25 foes: 27-13
Vs. Top 25 foes away from home: 17-8
Vs. Top 10 foes: 7-4
Vs. Top 10 foes away from home: 6-4
In postseason games (bowls and championships): 9-3
In games decided by a touchdown or less: 25-14
Record at home: 45-7
Record on the road: 27-4
Losses to unranked teams: 5
Top 25 finishes: 8
Top 10 finishes: 6
johnny bravo
January 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
whats great: you can have your 10 win seasons and not win any championships fine with me…
Jeff Schultz
January 29th, 2010
6:08 pm
South Ga Dawg — Yes, but I think it’s supposed to be a surprise.
Jeff Schultz
January 29th, 2010
6:09 pm
Meh — Maybe she tutored player? Hah! Actually, pretty sure there’s not one of her anywhere.
Jeff Schultz
January 29th, 2010
6:11 pm
Brad — Maybe they should move Stallings trophy to NCAA offices?
What's Great In College Football?
January 29th, 2010
6:13 pm
Any good coach can have 1 great year.
It takes a GREAT coach to have a great LONG-TERM CAREER.
Richt has few peers when it comes to LONG-TERM CAREER GREATNESS.
burton
January 29th, 2010
6:17 pm
I like how he slams Ga but pretty funny that he livesnext door to us in the summer months in the north ga mountains. And has said that will be his retirement home
Jeff and the kettle
January 29th, 2010
6:28 pm
HEHEHE ALabama is so dumb…they also sculpted miltary leaders of a 4 year war that they lost in the side of a mountain and sell tickets for their citizens visit. Wow what a bunch of rednecks!!! Oh wait thats in Georgia…nevermind…
CRIMSON WHO DAT HAMMAH
January 29th, 2010
6:29 pm
A GREAT COACH TURNS AROUND A DREADFUL PROGRAMS – LSU WAS DREADFUL UNDER MIKE ARCHER CURLEY HALLMAN GERRY DINARDO – SABAN TURNED THAT PROGRAM IN A HURRY
CRIMSON WHO DAT HAMMAH
January 29th, 2010
6:33 pm
X A
Bama baby
January 29th, 2010
6:34 pm
2009 National Champions……………………………Roll Tide Roll,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mckinley a.
January 29th, 2010
6:35 pm
i think it’s cool.
ginny
January 29th, 2010
6:37 pm
First year, second year, tenth year….they won a National Championship with Saban hence, his statue….duh….
Paul in RDU
January 29th, 2010
6:37 pm
Byron – Thanks for the postings. It’s nice to trade comments with a rational, polite adult.
AJC can't go broke fast enough
January 29th, 2010
6:41 pm
Funny how you conveniently forgot about UGA building a statue of a mascot…that’s not stupid it’s just pathetic. Glad I stopped paying for subscriptions to this dribble.
Will Richt Get A Statue?
January 29th, 2010
6:44 pm
Seems to me, those statues are built for guys who win a National Championship.
To win a National Championship, Saban, Meyer, Miles, all have down years in between (Saban 7-6 bama, Miles 7-6 LSU, Meyer 5-3 in SEC).
Richt doesn’t have a down year–he refuses to sacrifice a year for a National Championship.
It MIGHT end up costing him the big one.
Hope not.
JSS
January 29th, 2010
6:49 pm
All these pots calling the kettle black, oh wait, it is THE SOUTH! By the way, before all of you backwood name callers come screaming all of that provincial “if you hate the South so much” crap… My ancestors have been in this region since 1632… How long have yours been here?
The old saying is true: worry about your own house!
Daniel
January 29th, 2010
6:51 pm
Wow, you’re hilarious. Such a quick wit. Why don’t you not worry about it if it bothers you so much when somebody accomplishes something outstanding and is appreciated for it. I’m sure you’ve never had to worry about that happening. Find a different line of work, cut-rate hack.
Crimsonredscarlet
January 29th, 2010
6:56 pm
Harper Lee is an Alabama alumna, not an alumnus.
Did you go to Clemson?