Coach Saban is not a very nice guy.

theBIGyowski

All-American
Aug 4, 2005
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If I were getting paid $4 Million a year...I would be doing the best job I could. He feels an incredible amount of pressure here at Alabama and I think that is one reason why he seems so hard and not as "nice" as he did at LSU. That will all change once he gets in his element. It reminds me of a scene in Remember the Titans...when the coach is on the field by himself and he makes a comment like "this is my sanctuary...this is where everything is right." I think that is the same attitude Nick Saban has. BDS is his sanctuary...that's where the magic happens. Let the man coach a game...get all the nerves out of his system. We just need to focus on being the best fans we can be...that's our job.
 

TIDE-HSV

Senior Administrator
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Oct 13, 1999
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The really important people - his players are crazy about him and are greatly enjoying being "pushed to the limit." And his assistants greatly respect him and are almost to the man happy they signed on with him (even Lance, who knew what he was getting into).
 

dvldog

Hall of Fame
Sep 20, 2005
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The really important people - his players are crazy about him and are greatly enjoying being "pushed to the limit." And his assistants greatly respect him and are almost to the man happy they signed on with him (even Lance, who knew what he was getting into).
So you are saying some ACs are not happy they signed on? Wow, pls start another thread to explain.;)
 

TIDE-HSV

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No further comment on that. There never has been any staff where all were equally happy, and CNS's staffs have always been noteworthy for a lot of turnover. He is just not as demanding as you've gathered from the press. He is more demanding. There, is that vague enough? :D
 

red55

All-American
Nov 5, 2002
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Nick is not a dictator . . . but he is demanding. We needed it and y'all need it, too. Football is not a game to Nick, it's a business. He demands a businesslike attitude from his coaches and players. It's contagious and results in people being concerned with doing their "work" right, not just showing up to practice and "play".

Nick is not a horse's azz either. He's just not very warm, not very smiley, and definitely not a "people person". He does not like being a celebrity. He does the PR stuff because it's business, but he hates it . . . and sometimes it shows.
 

dvldog

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No further comment on that. There never has been any staff where all were equally happy, and CNS's staffs have always been noteworthy for a lot of turnover. He is just not as demanding as you've gathered from the press. He is more demanding. There, is that vague enough? :D
Yep. Just foolin w/you to increase post count. Re nice guy. I hope my dog and my wife think I am a pretty nice guy. Other than that, I could really give a rip though I try to be civil and friendly to all to are the same. Saban strikes me the same way. I'm good w/that. Just win (w/class) baby!
 

TIDE-HSV

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Had lunch yesterday with a friend who'd just got through working his camp and observing him up close and personal. While he'd certainly back what Alan has observed as a parent, the coaches working under CNS came back with a little different perspective. We did some speculating about the probable life span (or lack thereof) in someone as intense as he is... :)
 

#1VOLS#1

Suspended
Jun 23, 2007
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I think your team needs a coach who will not schmooze with everyone. I think UT needs it too. If the HC puts off a persona that winning is job #1 and everything else comes next, his players will follow suit. CNS will win at Bama, as much as it pains me to say it :biggrin2:
 

OldNavyTider

1st Team
Apr 16, 2007
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No defending Ray Perkins or putting down Tony Dungy, however Perkins did not have a NC at Bama, however he made steady improvement year after year and split with Auburn going 2-2. Eventually Perkins, and his style, would have been successful at Alabama. What steady football program improvement did you see with Mr. Nice guy, that being the coach before Nick Saban?

Tony Dungy is an exception to the rule as far as being a "nice" head coach who won a championship. Tough guys Bill Parcells, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Cowher, Gene Stallings, Coach Bryant, have all done pretty well in the championship winning arena, far more than the "Mr. Nice Guys."

In another sport, the NHL, Scotty Bowman was a tough guy who won nine Stanley Cup NHL Championships. It was quoted a few years ago, by one of his former players, that for 364 days out of the year you cursed Scotty Bowman, however on the 365th day of the year you picked up your championship ring.
 

Tidewater

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Mar 15, 2003
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yeah! I know last. But the not being a nice guy is hurting him with the media and I don't think he even cares.
Relax, my friend. If Coach Saban beats Tennessee, LSU and Auburn, and all the "hurting in the media" will disappear immediately, and be replaced with talk of "hard-nosed coommitment to excellence," "mental toughness," and "hardest working coach in football," I have no doubt.
 
Last edited:
Jan 10, 2003
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How many sucessfull college coaches are "Nice Guys"?

How many sucessfull high school coaches are "Nice Guys"?

I've already seen/heard enough of Coach Saban.

I'm tired of the press and reading about how "he treats people".

Go watch the "Junction Boys" again.

Coach Bryant had a job to do and he is the most famous football coach in the world.
 

LTBamaFan

1st Team
Jul 31, 2002
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Nick is not a dictator . . . but he is demanding. We needed it and y'all need it, too. Football is not a game to Nick, it's a business. He demands a businesslike attitude from his coaches and players. It's contagious and results in people being concerned with doing their "work" right, not just showing up to practice and "play".

Nick is not a horse's azz either. He's just not very warm, not very smiley, and definitely not a "people person". He does not like being a celebrity. He does the PR stuff because it's business, but he hates it . . . and sometimes it shows.
Sounds like the perfect football coach to me. Just what the doctor ordered for the Bama program.
 

bayoutider

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Oct 13, 1999
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I think your team needs a coach who will not schmooze with everyone. I think UT needs it too. If the HC puts off a persona that winning is job #1 and everything else comes next, his players will follow suit. CNS will win at Bama, as much as it pains me to say it :biggrin2:
The thought of schmoozing with Fullmer makes me feel a bit weak in the middle.
 

Tide Tales

All-SEC
Sep 26, 2006
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The Definitive Coach of All Time, CPB, had multiple sides to his being, just as CNS does. Frankly, I do not care what whoever writes, thinks, knows, thinks he/she knows about CNS. Mark it down. "It's the public's right to know" is a completely misleading statement! Roll Tide!:BigA:

P.S. And if you need a worthwhile read until 09 01 07, read "The Missing Ring",
"The Last Coach", or Barry K. "Goal Line Stand". Outstanding books, all. Excellent writing. And verified. I just bought another one but can't recall which @ the moment! Will keep you posted! So many, many excellent books on the shelf about Alabama FB. Amazon.com :)
 

CornBiscuit

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Oct 2, 2005
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I worked for Coach Saban when he was at LSU so i can tell you how he is.

He is a very nice guy, but wants things to be done his way. Even if they can be done a different way, they still need to be completed as he wants. He demands a lot, but is really nice and DOES care about his co workers.
 

BamaJama17

Hall of Fame
Sep 17, 2006
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How many sucessfull college coaches are "Nice Guys"?

How many sucessfull high school coaches are "Nice Guys"?

I've already seen/heard enough of Coach Saban.

I'm tired of the press and reading about how "he treats people".

Go watch the "Junction Boys" again.

Coach Bryant had a job to do and he is the most famous football coach in the world.
Wow you read my mind. No nice coch will get anywhere these days without having some mean in him.
 

moorav

Banned
Dec 6, 2006
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>Go watch the "Junction Boys" again.

yes they won ONE game a 1-9 record that year - Not something I would like at Bama
 

BigCountry

2nd Team
Nov 4, 2006
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New Hope, Alabama
I for one am glad that he's not a "nice guy". I want a coach who is worried about football and not pleasing the media or anybody else. If you can remember back, Coach Bryant wasn't exactly Mr. Manners himself when it came to the media.:BigA:
 

crimsonaudio

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Sep 9, 2002
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I'm still waiting for one post from someone who has had a bad experience with him personally. All this speculation about him being a jerk is rather sad...