Seeking a brief respite from this bitter cold snap, and the flaming rhetoric of the national political scene, I offer a warm and genuine salute to a man of intelligence, ability, and leadership ... even though he leads a team I do not support toward victories which I almost universally oppose.
I speak of course of among the most successful coaches in the history of college football, the recently retired Coach Nick Saban of the University of Alabama.
I am a dyed-in-the-wool, red-and-black Georgia Bulldog. I can’t see the color “crimson” without pointing out it is closer to maroon, or Alabama-stylized A-logo, without pointing out that’s just our Atlanta Braves “A” – with a mullet.
Coach Saban had the additional challenge while piling up earlier winning streaks at Michigan State and LSU, of being unfavorably compared to legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. But Saban now moves from coach to fan and booster, with quite a few more wins than the Bears, and certainly more championship and bowl titles.
And unlike many other UGA and SEC rivals, I don’t envy, dislike, or hold grudges against Saban. Compared to former South Carolina and University of Florida coach Steve Spurrier, Saban is a gentleman. Saban builds programs, players, and coaching staff, and even when they move on to become his competitors, he still wishes them well and appreciates their future wins and success.
It speaks volumes that within days of Saban announcing his retirement plans, and losing a close contest for another CFP Championship, nearly a dozen of his standout players announced plans to move into the player portal for trade and relocation – before any announcement about Saban’s potential successor.
I consider UGA’s three “arch-rivals” to be Florida, Clemson, and Auburn, with Auburn and Georgia enjoying the longest college football rivalry in the SEC, surpassed in longevity only by Harvard vs. Yale nationwide. But having my firstborn child, two sisters, one niece, and Olivia’s mother among my cadre of close Auburn alumni friends, I always solidly root for my team, but I can abide the occasional loss, once or say twice a decade, to those Tigers/Plainsman, uttering their victorious cries of “War Eagle.”
And for some reason, I can’t bring myself to hold any ill will toward that charming Trade School on North Avenue in Midtown Atlanta either. That Yellow Jacket mascot is a cute little fellow.
All across Tuscaloosa, there are monuments to Coach Saban and the Crimson Tide in every direction.
Saban also has some sort of mesmerizing effect on SEC and bowl game officials, as in the most recent SEC championship, while referees had at least one thumb on the scale, Saban masterfully managed the game clock and his players, and I can say without fear of contradiction, simply outplayed our Dawgs.
During the 2021 SEC Championship, a favored Georgia lost 41-24 and was “rolled” by the Crimson Tide. I had decent seats for that game – in the ‘Bama fans section, surrounded by Tide fans expecting the worst – but as that game delivered a different result, they didn’t rub my nose in their rising Tide.
The weather was cold, rainy, and awful outside ... and that loss was as painful as any of the many Steve Spurrier’s Florida beatdowns the Dawgs once took down in Jacksonville … but I didn’t grit my teeth and have no recollection of animosity toward Coach Saban. Again, we had been simply outplayed.
It also helps that UGA coach Kirby Smart, potentially a successor to the “winningest coach” title, is a protege and mentee of Saban, along with Lane Kiffin, Jimbo Fisher, and many others. Saban taught his coaches how to build player respect and discipline, and of course, how to win.
I also greatly admire Coach Saban for going out on his terms and still near the top of his game. Saban is not done with life, nor with college football ... he is just retiring from coaching, with what appears to be plenty of money and time to enjoy life, as well as his wife, children, and grandchildren.
At 72, Saban is still fit and vibrant with a potential future in other fields, should he be interested, including sports commentary, public speaking, possibly even book writing, or perhaps as a life coach. He could make one call to the White House and another to Trump Tower ... there is still time.