Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s director of sports science shares great Nick Saban story

Michael Wayne Bratton

By Michael Wayne Bratton

Published:

Not like there was any doubt, but Nick Saban still knows how to use all his success on the field to close recruits.

That’s even the case when the recruit he’s pitching has earned a Ph.D.

After Scott Cochran made the decision to leave Alabama for Georgia this offseason, Saban was tasked with finding just his second ever strength coach since taking over in Tuscaloosa.

Instead of hiring one man to do the job, Saban hired Director of Sports Performance David Ballou and Director of Sports Science Matt Rhea to take over the strength and conditioning program in Tuscaloosa.

According to Rhea, when he and Ballou were asked to come down to Tuscaloosa for an interview from Indiana — the two men previously worked together running the Hoosiers strength program — his son requested a photo of Coach Saban.

“When we interviewed, my youngest son was out of his mind excited. Said I had to get a photo with Coach Saban. At the end of the day I mentioned it and Coach agreed to it. Jokingly he said “Wait, I have to stand up or he won’t be able to see me over all the rings”. #RollTide,” Rhea shared online.

How great is that?

And, of course, as we all know by now,  Saban won this recruiting battle, too.

Michael Wayne Bratton

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com

You might also like...

2024 RANKINGS

presented by rankings

Read our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Cookie Policy and

© 2025 Saturday Down South. All rights reserved

We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. We support responsible gambling. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). global.footer.legal