Why is Bama so feared? Because its coach scares us to death
The cult of Nick congregates in the lobby of the Wynfrey Hotel. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Hoover, Ala. – Alabama was the choice of the assembled media here to win the 2011 SEC championship, which was no shock. Everybody exalts Alabama nowadays. It was in January 2010, after the Crimson Tide won the first of what would be one consecutive BCS title, that Sports Illustrated proclaimed it “a dynasty,” and it was only last fall we were wondering if Bama was unbeatable.
Then it lost to South Carolina, to LSU and to Auburn (after leading 24-0 in Tuscaloosa), and suddenly we media folks were grasping: How did the program newly seen as the nation’s flagship finish in the bottom half of the SEC West? Didn’t another school from Alabama take the BCS title? Was it possible the dynastic Tide had been overblown?
Guess not. Because we media types are doing it again. The Tide figures to start the season ranked no worse than No. 2 (behind Oklahoma and nobody else) in the polls, and in the conference-sanctioned balloting for SEC champ it drew 62.4 percent of the 157 votes cast. This despite losing four first-round NFL draftees (Marcell Dareus, Julio Jones, James Carpenter and Mark Ingram) and starting quarterback Greg McElroy.
Asked Friday about this apparent incongruity, Alabama’s coach said: “From a logical standpoint, I know there’s a couple other teams in our division — forget about the league — that have just as many returning starters and their quarterback. So even though [sarcasm alert] I have a tremendous amount of respect for the intelligence level and your ability to prognosticate … I don’t understand how you come to the decisions you do.”
The answer, this correspondent of limited intellect would submit, has to do with Alabama’s coach. Nick Saban is considered the best collegiate coach now working by as great a distance as Dwight Howard is regarded as the NBA’s top center. Saban has won BCS titles at different SEC outposts, which proved his black magic was transferable. And it isn’t so much that folks believe Saban is smarter than everyone else but that we know he’ll work his 30-hour days until he figures things out.
Alabama fans are difficult to please — a guy bearing an ursine nickname won pretty big in Tuscaloosa — but they’ve venerated Saban from the moment he arrived. Indeed, a cult of personality has arisen around this coach, and that’s something you don’t often see in SEC football. There was one surrounding Paul W. Bryant and also about Steve Spurrier (though he qualified as an Evil Genius only at Florida), but Vince Dooley (six SEC titles, one national championship) and Urban Meyer (two BCS titles) never had one.
With Saban, it’s really a cult of impersonality. Sometimes it seems the sole difference between Saban and his near-namesake Satan is that the devil has a sense of humor. It was Saban who famously spent the press briefing after Alabama’s breakthrough victory over No. 3-ranked Georgia in 2008 — the Tide led 31-0 after two quarters on the road — raging about how his team had been outscored by 20 points in the second half.
“I know I don’t look happy,” Saban said that night, “but I am.”
Saban never looks happy. The man is so driven you wonder how he hasn’t yet driven himself, and those who work under him, insane. He cracked one smile during his half-hour appearance before the print media Friday, and then only to make fun of Baton Rouge writer Glenn Guilbeau, whom Saban described as “a friend.” (Coach Satan has friends? Who knew?)
As odd as it sounds, the glowers have become Saban’s stock in trade. He appears to take football more seriously than anyone else in his industry, and this plays well in the South, where college football is taken most seriously, and in his state, which is mad for the game.
Another incongruity: The manically intense Saban spent a couple of minutes Friday suggesting that Auburn-Alabama rivalry has grown too intense. “We can be all be a little more respectful to each other and still have just as a fierce a competition on the field as we’ve ever had,” he said.
But that was it for moderation. Saban devoted most of his time to the boilerplate stuff — focus, commitment, all that jazz — and then he stalked away, the smell of sulfur in his wake. Gazing on him, we thought to ourselves, “What mortal can possibly stand against such fury?”
Les Miles, maybe?
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
391 comments Add your comment
TruthSeeker
July 22nd, 2011
5:04 pm
I think Bama disappoints again this year. Their defense is obviously dominant, but their offense got bogged down against LSU and Auburn last season, and now they don’t have McElroy, Ingram or Julio Jones. You can’t understate those losses.
Bama peaked in 2009, the same way Georgia did in ‘02, Auburn did in ‘04, LSU did in ‘07, and Florida did in ‘08. It’s simply too hard to dominate the SEC year after year.
Whats dumber that Gene Chizik?
July 22nd, 2011
5:05 pm
sit n spin
Tossed Salad
July 22nd, 2011
5:06 pm
When Saban retires is he going to be thought of as a “Bama Man?” Hardly. He doesn’t give a flying flip about your school save for the fact that it’s cutting his massive checks. Sure, he can coach. He’s the coaching equivalent of Cam Newton – a hired assassin. The only difference between LSU and you Bama ‘tards is that LSU wasn’t dumb enough to build a bronze statue of a common job-hopper. What are you going to do with that pigeon roost once your hero moves on to Dallas or LA?
phillip
July 22nd, 2011
5:09 pm
I am a Bama fan. I appreciate what Saban has done. I believe he was completely, and totally burned out last year. I hope he gets his energy back. Personally I think Bama goes 8-4 this year. Young quarterbacks, and a coach that is too conservative, and tends to flame out in the midst of a mediocre year is not a good mix.
black sheep
July 22nd, 2011
5:10 pm
Tossed Salad Go play with your tinker toys and read your comic books. I know it sucks that your team and your coach does not get the press that Saban and Bama do but- what the heck ; life just isn’t fair- especially when your team sucks like yours does.
SEC Fact Finder
July 22nd, 2011
5:10 pm
Terry
Have you ever been South Central Florida? Go to Wikipedia and type in Trailer Park and see what picture comes up on the right side of the page. You will laugh.
I was just responding to the comment about 90,000 trailer park people filling up Bryant Denny Stadium. I thought it was a funny comment and have no ax to grind with anyone. The fact is all teams have great Alumni and we all have sidewalk fans who have a tendancy to embarrass our institutions that we actually attended. That is just part of life.
The Coaches at every school seem to be good stewards and provide so many unknown contributions that we can be proud of. Saban has “Nick’s Kids”, Richt does missionary work at home and abroad, Derek Dooley’s Children’s Charity, Dan Mullen’s clothing drive, Will Muschamp’s Scramble for Charity for the Boys and Girls Club, Steve Spurrrier and his charity work for the SC Cancer Society, Joker Phillip’s Swings for Soldiers, Gene Chizik’s Children’s Charity, Houston Nutt the Mississippi Boys and Girls Clubs, Les Miles Charity work for Leukemia and Lymphoma. The list goes on and on.
Our coaches in the SEC and at other schools(as well) do so many things to make us proud and unless a coach does something to hurt a kid, there is no reason to get personal about these fine men who spend their lives being dissected and magnified while we anonymously go about our lives.
Jim
July 22nd, 2011
5:10 pm
Lowcountry,
I like UGA and hope they run the table. I would say losing to la tech game would be the equivilent to UGA losing to vandy or central florida so I wouldnt be throwing too many stones. Anyway I hope we both have great seasons and it would be fun to play each other in the SEC Championship game.
Roll Tide
Dawg4Life
July 22nd, 2011
5:11 pm
bamaguy- get your facts straight, it was UF fans that beat up the disabled guy for wearing the UGA shirt. But have you seen the normal Alabama fan? You know the ones that threw trash on the UGA players when we came to your house and whipped your tails??? Richt is 3-2 against you tools, some come back when you have an argument.
keepinitreal
July 22nd, 2011
5:12 pm
Georgia has won 10 more games than Alabama over the last decade (including a 3-1 mark head-to-head), and that’s even after going just 14-12 over the last two years. Why do Bama think they’re all that? They peaked in 2009, but it’s not like other SEC schools haven’t had great years recently.
UGAKev
July 22nd, 2011
5:12 pm
BlackSheep- When you think of Tide..You think, aisle 7 next to Snuggle
Poopdawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:15 pm
Sabah has 2yrs left max before his wife says enough(similar to Meyer.)
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:18 pm
Jim,
Wasn’t throwing stones. Again people are failing to follow the posts. I refered to that singular game because Bama fans continue to bring up our game where we got blew out by you guys. Teams fail to show up, it happens. As Herman Edwards says, “its why you play the game”.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:20 pm
O the post monster is eating my comments…
Jim,
I responed the way I did because so many Tide fans reference that one game three years ago where UGA failed to show up and you waxed us. My point was teams fall flat. Inexcusable times for that happen. So that was why I referenced it. Not throwing stones whatsoever.
Dude
July 22nd, 2011
5:20 pm
Keepitreal-
Please read what you just wrote. None of the comparsion stats happened after you went 14-12. I think you meant to say Georgia won 10 more…BEFORE (not after) going 14-12. Bottomline the only reason anyones down on UGA is that they had 2 sub-par years and winning can take care of that.
black sheep
July 22nd, 2011
5:21 pm
keepinitreal How many NC’s do ya have pal?? PLease do tell us how many of those puppies ya have in the case???
Jim
July 22nd, 2011
5:22 pm
Lowcountry,
No problem and good luck this season.
SEC Fact Finder
July 22nd, 2011
5:23 pm
Poopdawg,
I think you need to attend a speaking engagement Mrs. Terry Saban is giving in two weeks at the Galleria in Birmingham for her Charity. She just recently stated she could work many many more years on the charity and the only way she could do it was with Nick coaching and leaving the charity to her. She sounded like she wants at least 5 more from her latest comments. She stated her goals were to see the complete rebuild of “all” the tornado damaged areas across the south and she was working with other coaches wives throughout the conference to insure the people affected across the south were helped fully.
I think it is wishful thinking for anyone to speculate about a coach leaving unless it is for a better opportunity than what he currently has.
Don4654
July 22nd, 2011
5:23 pm
For everyone ripping on Saban for not wnning more than 10 games last year.How many teams that lose 10 starters on defense,their kicker,punter,long snapper,punt returner and only lose to the national champion by 1 point would say their team underacheived?
Terry
July 22nd, 2011
5:24 pm
Bama fans, Talk about UGA fans living in the past but the fact is since Georgia won their National Championship in 1980, Bama has only won two NC’s 1992,2009 this is a different time were living in with different rules if Bear Bryant would have had deal with what these coaches have to deal with now he would not have been so successful.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:27 pm
A team that had four 1st round picks and a team that has 7 players on ALL SEC teams this season. That is why it is fair to say that. Also you lost to the team by 1 point after blowing a 24 point lead. No spin zone here big guy….
black sheep
July 22nd, 2011
5:28 pm
Don4654 Don’t even waste your breath on the Saban haters. Sad when your team sucks so that you find it necessary to rip another winning team rather than tout your own pitiful look alike.
tell the truth
July 22nd, 2011
5:30 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg Tell about your wonderful dawgs and how swell they have been doing lately pal. Please do- you have the floor. And please tell us how many NC’s your guys have won lately???
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:32 pm
Our Dawgs have sucked monkey butt the past two seasons. I will not lie. I am not a rose colored glasses fan that will tell you the sky is not falling when clearly it is. Plenty of issues in Athens. I still though can give my opinion on the state of what I think is going on at Alabama you tool. Its called America. If you dont like it. Love it or leave it!
tell the truth
July 22nd, 2011
5:36 pm
Saban won 36 games the past three years- I will take that over the swell Dawgs record. Is that current enough for you?
tell the truth
July 22nd, 2011
5:37 pm
You certainly may- I most certainly have the right to call you out for your jealous nonsense. And I will.
SecFan
July 22nd, 2011
5:40 pm
The media hates Saban because he treats them like crap. They love Spurrier because he gives them quotes. But Saban doesn’t make fun of his opponents nor deliberately runs the score up every time he gets a chance. It’s just a matter of preference, but in my years of watching SEC football, Spurrier is the biggest douche I’ve seen.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:41 pm
You obviously have not followed posts. I have respect for Bama. The 10-0 game in ‘91? Good grief that was a crapper game to me! I just am sick and tired of Bammer fans! I only dislike Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee. I am indifferent to Bammer, Awbern and South Karoliner. Seriously dude lose the jealousy argument….
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:43 pm
Spurrier was and will always be a bigger douche! Saban will never be even close.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:45 pm
How fast can a Heisman trohy winner be forgotten? Only at Bammer. He returned last year, had Richardson, JJ, a couple stud OL according to Tide Roll. All those first team SEC studs this year on defense and you make excuses for blowing a 24 point lead to your largest rival. Seriously that is funny. Not jealous, just looking at the facts as a outside observer. Alabama had ZERO excuses for losing that game or the others.
Poopdawg
July 22nd, 2011
5:54 pm
Tell the truth, what contribution have you made to your team’s greatness? I’m a Dawg fan but I contribute 0 on game day . I prefer UGA to win but it doesn’t ruin my day when the Dawgs lose. Don’t understand your arrogant ass. Surely you have scored a few tds for the mighty Tide.
tell the truth
July 22nd, 2011
5:58 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg OK retard- I have not heard anyone including myself making excuses for losing 3 games last year. Three games- oh my lord. your pissant team lost that many before we got to Oct 15. Do you really think that I feel the need to defend Bama or any other school from your sophmoric posts? I did not even go there pal- but I have been a Bama fan for probably more years than you have been born. So go ahead and run your mouth and show your real self- the one that thinks he is making points by throwing stones at another school- one that by the way your school will NEVER catch in terms of football uccess. It sucks I know but that you go. Deal with it.
tell the truth
July 22nd, 2011
6:02 pm
Poopdawg Oh brother another voice from the peanut gallery- I did not go to Bama- my son did. I went to an ACC school. But you dawg fans just have this arrogance and love to run other teams down when your team continues to suck. Why not tell us about that great team you have in Athens instead of running your mouth telling us how bad other teams are – teams that clearly are better than yours, year in and year out. Sounds like some serious jealousy to me.
Terry
July 22nd, 2011
6:02 pm
Richt also knows all too well how important this season is for him as well as the Bulldogs. Richt laughed about the difficulty of being at an SEC school for more than a decade.
“It’s not difficult if you win nine, 10, 11 a year, win the Eastern Division every other year, win the SEC every three or four years,” he said. “It’s not a problem at all.
“It’s when you [finish] 6-7. That’s when it’s a problem. But greater days are coming. The best is yet to come.”
Those were Richt’s last words from Thursday’s SEC Media Days press conference session. But will it be his last appearance at the event?
tell the truth
July 22nd, 2011
6:09 pm
By the way I fully expect Richt to win at least 9 or 10 and probably win the East this year. I happen to like Mark Richt as a man and a coach. There are many times on this blog during the past years where it is apparent that he deserves better fans than many of you are. I think he has the schedule and the team to win again ths year. But instead of running down other teams why aren’t you touting your team? You obviously don’t agree with my assessment or you would be saying what I just said. But if it floats your boat have at it. And by the way no team in SEC history has been more hated over the years than the Gators. Especially under Spurrier.
LakeDawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:16 pm
Saban is feared, because everyone knows he will stop at nothing to win. He runs the UA program like a pro club. Oversigning and cutting the players that don’t measure up. No respect for what college football is all about. He is at the perfect institution. Alabama fans are crazy and embrace him as if he’s a god.
jerry
July 22nd, 2011
6:19 pm
You have to give Alabama credit. Unlike UGA, they will go after the best coach they can get, while UGA will just as soon give the job to some unqualified ex Bulldog e.g. Griffith, Goff.
LakeDawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:20 pm
Alabama fans are the craziest in the nation by far. They embrace Saban like he’s a god. He’s feared because everyone knows he will stop at nothing to win. Runs his program like the pros, oversigning and cutting players. No respect for what college athletics is supposed to be about.
LakeDawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:21 pm
Mark Bradley is the best writer in the world. : D
LakeDawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:21 pm
Alabama fans are crazy.
tell the truth
July 22nd, 2011
6:40 pm
LakeDawg- Saban really gets your goat eh??? Wins too much does he?? This should be your year – I do so hope that your life seems better after this year.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:44 pm
Jerry bringing up hires from 20 years ago. Good job. Saban was th eright man for the job at Bama. Sometimes stars lineup and you get lucky. Good for Bama, but damn Jerry in 1988 who should UGA have hired. Jimmy Johnson? Steve Spurrier before he won the ACC at Duke? Bobby Bowden? What big name should they have gone after back then? That is a hilarious post Jerry…
Poopdawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:56 pm
Tell the truth , I slam no program my slam was aimed at your sorry ass.
Joey
July 22nd, 2011
6:57 pm
“Joey Or to compare the success of Bama to the success of Georgia.”
**********************************
Whew!
Good comeback, black sheep! Yeah!!
We’ll just forget about the cheatin . . .
Volspaws
July 22nd, 2011
7:12 pm
Love the Alabubba necks trying to dispel the state’s redneck image….sorry…you’re fighting a battle you can’t win….when I think Bama, I think permed mullets, guys in tanktops with gold chains around their (red) necks and Dale Earnhardt tattoos….the day that Saban has his inevitable stroke, Bama is back to irrelevance overnight…enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t last much longer
ncaa compliance officer
July 22nd, 2011
7:41 pm
STFU Bradley
JB
July 22nd, 2011
7:50 pm
Whew…home and just ate a great steak off the grill. I checked in and some of you guys are going at it still. Go have a beer and watch a rerun of swamp People and chill out. Go dawgs
dawg4u
July 22nd, 2011
7:51 pm
Tide Rising -
I have to take exception to one of your comments. Those were not Milwaukee’s best beer cans littered around campus – they were Pabst Blue Ribbon and the wine bottles were not 20/20 but white port and Thunderbird. There – I got it off my chest. Feel much better now!
Timbo
July 22nd, 2011
8:32 pm
Roll Tide.
Timbo
July 22nd, 2011
8:43 pm
and Go Dawgs! We are not a natural rivalry. I pull for the Dawgs in the East. I’m a Bama fan because of my family and roots, but grew up in Georgia. I wish Mark Richt well. He is a good man. UGA’s schedule sets up nice this year. Many opportunities for them. Oh yeah, beat the hell out of Boise State. Represent us well! It does matter!
dawghater1
July 22nd, 2011
9:08 pm
you dont have a clue bradley, go deliver phone books