Nick Saban is believed to be arguably the best college football coach of all time, that’s only recently been the case. Early in his career, he had 2 major influences to steer him into coaching, and polish his skills.

During a segment with Eli Manning on Manning’s new ESPN+ show, “Eli’s Places,” Saban shares that former Kent State coach Don James and Bill Belichick had the greatest impact on his career.

Saban even said James talked him into becoming a coach, while Belichick shaped his career over 4 years in Cleveland.

“That was like going from junior high, to graduate school,” Saban said.