Nick Saban is the undisputed GOAT of college football–change my mind. He’s 292-71-1, won 7 national titles, 11 SEC titles (going 11-1 in SEC title games), and most importantly won a MAC championship to go along with multiple coach of the year awards. I argue if he had Drew Brees instead of Daunte Culpepper with the Dolphins he would’ve had several Super Bowls, and we’d be spared of Alabama’s obnoxious fanbase. However, as a college football fan, I’m glad he came back to our sport and pissed off casuals for many years.
Before getting into the coaching world, I couldn’t stand Nick Saban. Looking back on it, I think it was mostly jealousy as my Michigan Wolverines depressed me every weekend. Now, I respect what he’s done for our sport. Along with the countless accolades, the defensive schemes across football–from high school to the pros–have his fingerprints all over it. Some of my favorites are the match cover concepts he utilized to compete with modern offenses (my favorite articles are linked to each) like cover 3 “Rip/Liz” and his multiple cover 7 (match quarters) adjustments to different formations. Not to get too into the weeds, these concepts could be a blog themselves, but it’s hard to imagine where defense would be today without Saban.
I’m sure it’s age and spending time with Ms. Terry during their “golden years”, but I wonder if some of the changes to college football were a motivating factor in deciding to retire. I’m concerned with the direction of college football. I’m all for players making money while they play; they bust their ass every day and deserve a piece of the pie. Unfortunately, to offset that cost, college football is monetizing the CFB playoff at the expense of tradition. Regardless of how you feel about Saban, he was always outspoken about keeping the traditions of college football, and the commercialization of the sport has shaped the landscape we’ll see next year. It may be more compelling to some, but the changes are certainly going to push some programs completely out of what we know as the “FBS”–if bowls will even exist anymore. More on this in an upcoming blog.
I don’t want to focus too much on the negative as Saban lifted the sport to a whole new level and deserves to be celebrated. Enjoy your retirement; it’s been a hell of a tide.
The Morning Flush 