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
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391 comments Add your comment
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 24th, 2011
11:08 am
Bammer Stan 3 posts to try the old worn out humor. Good job you get a pledge pin for your efforts, you tool.
Altamaha Zombie
July 24th, 2011
11:08 am
If Saban were head coach at UGA winning championships and bringing in number one recruiting classes every year, he would be hoisted on a pedestal and worshipped by the same Richt zombies who criticize him today. Truth is that it is nothing more than old fashioned jealousy. They are jealous of Alabama’s success and too stupid to make the necessary coaching changes to remain competitive.
BAMA STAN
July 24th, 2011
11:12 am
Revised:
Saban doesn’t cheat. He simply outworks everyone in the college game and demands that all his coaches and players do too. That’s why he wins EVERYWHERE he goes. Its really, really simple. Now this “out work everyone” philosophy doesn’t pay dividends in professional football. Ask Spurier and others. But it sure as heck does in college football on down. And it is why he will dominate not only Georgia but every other SEC team as well.
BAMA STAN
July 24th, 2011
11:15 am
worn out humor? Truth hurts don’t it mr dawg? Wish you would have been kinder and gentler to us when you were on top. Enjoy your view down there for a few more years ole big man when things are going well. hahah.. hahahahahahahahahahah,,,hahahaha..ahem
Dublin Dawg
July 24th, 2011
11:16 am
Hey BAMA STAN. why don’t you alabama inbreds stay on your own blogs?
buzzer
July 24th, 2011
11:20 am
Dublin Dawg:
“alabama inbreds”. “stay on your own blogs”. Really? Really? Now THAT is the pot calling the kettle black if I ever heard it. Can anyone say “double standard” here? Sheeze!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 24th, 2011
11:31 am
Yep that 31-0 half really chaps my skin. I think about it daily, counting down the days till we can have a shot at redemption. Really….? Please I am just doing this to have fun with tools like you. You know the ones that name themselveS….Bama Stan.
Tide Rising
July 24th, 2011
11:35 am
Dublin Dawg,
Maybe being a dawg fan you need some help with your critical thinking skills. This is not a dawg blawg. Go over to the guy with the beard that looks like grizzly adams for that. The subject of this blog is Bama. Are you really just that stupid?
Tide Rising
July 24th, 2011
11:39 am
Lowcountry,
I noticed you asked earlier about Tide Roll. I don’t even think he’s a Bama fan. I think he’s a Tech fan that posts only on that one dawg site and does it just to needle you guys. Hell the guy doesn’t even know its roll tide. I’ve never seen him post on blogs about Alabama football. I think he’s just some disturbed dude that just posts the same drivel over and over and over and just chooses another team’s handle because with a Tech handle he doesn’t really have any bragging rights over the dawgs.
Tide Rising
July 24th, 2011
11:40 am
Lowcountry,
One of these days ya’ll are going to figure out that tideroll is really probably a Tech fan posing as a Bama fan just to needle you guys. I’ve never seen the guy blog on an article about Bama football or on the general sec blogs. Never seen it.
Bill
July 24th, 2011
11:48 am
When you blow a 24 point lead on your home field against your arch rival it tends to remove the fear. Great coaches don’t let this happen.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 24th, 2011
11:50 am
I believe the key to UGA’s success lies with the players, playing like a team, not losing to those they should beat, and pulling off a game or two where they are not favored. UGA should be able to pull out 9 wins this year, if the players work hard, believe in themselves and work as a team. No great mystery to all that.
You can respect Saban but he is just a human, just like any other mortal man. He has to motivate his players just like any other coach. He has done it better than CMR for a few years, but don’t allow him to be the 12th man on the field.
I guess the same could be said about Spurrier, if we are looking at how coaches teams have been when they played UGA. CMR has a favorable record against S.C. and held his own, in face to face meetings with AL. If he has truly gotten some fire in his gut, and his other coaches step it up, there is no reason for UGA to fear either coach or school. Coach up the players and hope they perform on the field.
Bill
July 24th, 2011
11:50 am
@bamastan-Your quote of winning every where he goes is in error. Check out his success with the Miami Dolphins.
AU Liberal in ATL
July 24th, 2011
11:54 am
Get real. That old bastard doesn’t scare me, not even a little bit. War Damn Eagle!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 24th, 2011
11:59 am
Agree 100% Tide Rising.
NEXT #14
July 24th, 2011
11:59 am
ONE MORE TIME (FOR THE IGNORANT DOG FANS ONLY)………..THIS IS NOT,I REPEAT NOT A DOG BLOG ONLY!!! CHIPPER & BILLY HAVE THOSE BLOGS FOR YOU GO THERE & YOU ARE FREE TO ENJOY ALL THINGS PUPPY DOG……….YA GET IT NOW NIMROD!!! THIS IS A BLOG FOR ALLLLLLLLL TO COMMENT ON & OR ABOUT THE SUBJECT AT HAND……….PERIOD!! ANY SCHOOL,ANY CONFERENCE,ANYTIME!!!!
NEXT #14
July 24th, 2011
12:03 pm
@ A.L. in ATL……..Q: DOES THE NCAA SCARE YOU YET??!
Buddy El (Dawg For Life)
July 24th, 2011
12:11 pm
Alright! I’ve waited long enough during all this name calling and disparaging of the other teams fans. How can you really, really lower the boom on SEC fans without bringing up the National, Dumba$$ Fan of The Year(NDFTY) without mentioning the BAMA TREE-KILLER. Maybe Bama will win 2 National Championships this season. One in football and one in NDFTY. What a school.
NEXT #14
July 24th, 2011
12:23 pm
@ BUDDY EL………….GO HUG THAT FULMER TROPHY B/C THAT’S THE ONLY ONE YOU’LL HAVE THIS YEAR,CHUMP!!!
Title 24
July 24th, 2011
12:32 pm
Saban’s roster is loaded with talent—the only team that will give Bama a game is South Carolina in the SEC title game, but bama wins that by 13+. Bama plays fsu for the BCS title—take it to the bank!
Tall Order
July 24th, 2011
12:35 pm
Nick Saban is taller than Terry Bowden—I have that from some people who know both!
D man
July 24th, 2011
12:38 pm
I wish we had Saban at Georgia. He is an amazing coach. Great recruiter, leader, motivator and seems to be a great guy too. my son goes to Bama so I am a simi-Bama fan too.
Roll tide…..
D man
July 24th, 2011
12:40 pm
Saban is a great coach…
Buddy El (Dawg For Life)
July 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
Bama Dude: Thanks for the blow by blow description of Bama’s 3rd loss of the 2010 season to Awbarn. Given a dozen “ifs” and the avoidance of dozens of Bama injuries we could have had another Bama NC. Maybe if we all petition the NCAA we can have a replayed AU – Bama game. I’m surprised we haven’t already tried this. Everyone knows that no teams other than Bama had injuries so lets get moving on this appeal. May as well ask for your dozen “ifs” also. Don’t expect any assistance from The Barn though. They have developed an allergy to anything NCAA related.
Buddy El (Dawg For Life)
July 24th, 2011
12:59 pm
Dublin Dawg: You may be on to something. They jumped all over you about this not being a UGA blog but nary a word of denial about them being “inbreds”. Just sayin.
Just Me
July 24th, 2011
1:21 pm
Great one bunch of inbreeds from one redneck state calling another group of inbred rednecks names. This is Our Blog. No, no it isn’t. It is our blog.
Alabama 41 uGA 30 Sanford & Son Stadium
July 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
Hey Bulldog!
Hey Bulldog!
We just Beat The Hell Out of you!!!
Rama Jama Yellow Hammer Give them Hell Alabama!!!
Real Problem
July 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
Nothing like SEC football to get everyone fired up:).
Just some thoughts……….
I wish Nick Saban was coaching Georgia. The Gator losses would stop, period. I am sick and tired of loosing to that bunch.
I have a hard time throwing Saban under the bus when I see the likes of Julio, Mark, Marcel and Greg. Great kids and true role models…
I think Bama’s defense is going to as close as one can get to NFL quality. Look for several shut outs….
Last, Saban is not just recruiting snot nose kids…he is selling a whole entire package that is turning on the parents of these talented players. He has a saying I love ” We have good people doing good things at Alabama “. Does not sound like SATAN to me.
Buddy El (Dawg For Life)
July 24th, 2011
1:38 pm
I know Paul In Destin: He couldn’t find his a$$ with both hands in his hip pockets.
Buddy El (Dawg For Life)
July 24th, 2011
1:57 pm
INDISPUTABLE FACTS:
During Mark Richt’s 10 years at UGA he has beaten Saban 3 out of 4 meetings.
LA Monroe has a better record against Saban than does Mark Richt
LA-Monroe kicked Tide and Saban butt.
Tide finished in 4th place………..IN THE SEC WEST…..in 2010
Harvey Updyke Jr.
July 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
Fear ‘Bama??? Do you remember the old ‘no fear’ slogan? Well, here in Alabana it’s known as ‘ain’t skeert’.
Bill
July 24th, 2011
2:17 pm
Low Country dawg: we are from that low country you described the other nite, right across the bridge in Charleston and knew a very long, long, long, time ago, to step over the citadel, say no to the gamecocks, say %*^*# no to the dwags, and join the very best program in the “country” Alabama Crimson Tide football.
Tony Geinzer
July 24th, 2011
2:36 pm
I, Mr. Tony Geinzer, would say the days of Bama Bashing ended years ago and the days of competing with and around Bama have restarted. I feel that Auburn can’t try to win without cheating and a lot of us Central Iowans want Chizik canned in Auburn and LSU and Ole Miss can’t win no more and Mississippi State and Arkansas is on Bama’s Level, but, the only ones who can hang with Bama is Kentucky. I think the average Georgia Man wants his Coach Dooley back as he is the State’s John Wooden.
AU in Milton
July 24th, 2011
3:09 pm
Saban is a good coach but bammers are a little odd how they worship coaches.. They really showed up at 6am at a mall in Hoover to just see him? WTH? .Saban does have a 3-4 record against AU for his career and is 2-2 while coaching at bammer.. yet bammers think he “owns” AU? Maybe beause he is 5 ft 6 inches people fear him? Who knows? He will always be one of my favorites…he blew a 24-0 lead at home to us and I will be grateful forever..I love you Saban..
Ron Zook
July 24th, 2011
3:50 pm
Buddy El by that logic I am better than Richt
ga gator
July 24th, 2011
3:51 pm
Until Spurrier wins a NC at South Carolina, Saban is the only one that I know of who can claim it at 2 Universities. Another thought to ponder; if you are a player who steps in his own stuff, who would you rather explain it to Saban or Richt and Meyer?
Score Check
July 24th, 2011
4:34 pm
Fear Satan because he will throw his boys under the bus in a heartbeat for “the good of the program”
Can you spell “M-E-D-I-C-A-L H-A-R-D-S-H-I-P”
BAMA STAN
July 25th, 2011
7:18 am
Nick Saban is without a doubt the best college football coach of all time.
Atlanta87
July 26th, 2011
1:14 pm
Testing….
amau2009
July 26th, 2011
1:14 pm
Ok sorry everyone. It wouldn’t let me post on another blog so I didn’t know if it was me or what.
Whiskey Breath
July 26th, 2011
4:04 pm
Did you make Jeff happy? When are you going to figure out, you have more talent than he does but apparently he knows more about ratings. When it doubt, tell the home crowd what they want to hear.
Saban is the devil and Mark is a saint! Not sure that counts on the win loss record.