A breakdown of every game Nick Saban has coached against former assistants
By Keith Farner
Published:
It’s becoming one of the worst-kept secrets of the week leading up to college football’s national championship game. Nick Saban is 11-0 against his former assistants.
The only thing as lopsided as that 11-0 record is the wide margin by which Saban has dispatched of teams coached by Derek Dooley, Mark Dantonio, Jimbo Fisher, Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain. Now Kirby Smart gets a shot to try to do what the others couldn’t: keep the margin within two touchdowns, let alone win.
Smart worked under Saban for nine years at Alabama until 2015, most recently as defensive coordinator. Smart also worked for Saban at LSU (defensive backs coach in 2004) and with the Miami Dolphins. Saban recalled this week on a media teleconference that he initially hired Smart to fill a secondary coach position.
“Some of the other coaches on the staff knew him,” Saban said. “Will Muschamp and Derek Dooley recommended him highly. I was very impressed with him from day one. He was very bright. He learned quickly. I would hire him anytime, anywhere, on any staff based on the body of work that he did over the nine or 10 years that he was with us. He did a fabulous job.”
Now Smart gets a chance to set himself apart from that group of former colleagues.
The most overrated stat you will hear in the next few days is that Saban is 11-0 against former assistants, only 1 of those had a formidable team talent wise and that’s Jimbo
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) January 4, 2018
Here is a breakdown of the 11 games, beginning with the widest margin of defeat:
Michigan State 49-7, Capital One Bowl, 2011
Mark Ingram ran for two scores to break the Alabama career touchdown record (42) in the most lopsided Capital One Bowl in history. The Spartans, coached by Dantonio, didn’t score until there was less than 6 minutes left in the game, long after when the Alabama starters were pulled. Alabama scored on its first five possessions and sacked Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins four times.
Michigan State 38-0, CFP semifinal, 2015
It was scoreless after the first quarter, but then the onslaught came in the form of the most lopsided shutout in Cotton Bowl history. Jake Coker passed for two touchdowns to Calvin Ridley, while Derrick Henry ran for two more. Alabama also had two interceptions and limited the Spartans to a 29 yards rushing.
Florida 54-16, SEC Championship, 2016
Saban’s offensive coordinator from 2008-11, McElwain took it on the chin in this one. The Tide was fueled by scoring off turnovers, including Minkah Fitzpatrick with an interception return for a touchdown. Later, Josh Jacobs picked up a blocked punt and scored from 27 yards. The margin wasn’t much of a surprise as Florida entered the game as a 24-point underdog.
Tennessee 41-10 in Knoxville, 2010
This began fairly close as Alabama led just 13-10 at halftime. But a 21-point scoring spurt in the third quarter put the game out of reach for the Vols and Dooley. Julio Jones set a school record with 221 receiving yards on 12 catches as the Tide was motivated by Saban, who suggested they had been growing complacent in recent weeks.
Tennessee 37-6 in Tuscaloosa, 2011
Another tight game that was 6-6 at halftime. That changed quickly in the second half as Alabama scored on five straight possessions. All of that ultimately set up the a big showdown with No. 1 LSU. Dooley went for it on fourth down five times, but saw mixed success, mostly early in the game.
Tennessee 44-13 in Knoxville, 2012
Unlike the recent games in this series, there wasn’t much suspense in this one. A.J. McCarron threw for four touchdowns and a career-high 306 yards. Alabama kept up the torrid pace it had all season with another 30-point effort, the seventh straight time it did it that season, a school record. Amari Cooper was the beneficiary of many of those plays as he had 7 catches for 162 yards, a school record for an Alabama freshman.
Florida 38-10 in Gainesville, 2011
Florida quarterback John Brantley began the game with a big play, a 65-yard touchdown to Andre Debose. But that’s about where the highlights ended for Florida and Muschamp in front of the second-largest crowd (90,888) in Florida Field history. Brantley later suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Jeff Driskel. Trent Richardson, a Florida native, led the way for the Tide with 29 carries for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Colorado State 31-6 in Tuscaloosa, 2013
McElwain, the former Alabama offensive coordinator, kept upset hopes alive by trailing just 17-6 into the fourth quarter. A.J. McCarron piloted the Tide with 258 yards on 20-of-26 passing. Christian Jones chipped in with 9 catches for 90 yards.
Florida 42-21 in Tuscaloosa, 2014
Blake Sims carried the day for the Crimson Tide, passing for 445 yards and 4 touchdowns. Amari Cooper hauled in 10 receptions for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns. All that was enough to overcome 11 penalties and four turnovers as Saban got the better of Muschamp again.
Florida State 24-7 in Atlanta, 2017
This season-opener pitted the No. 1 and No. 3 teams, but will be remembered for the knee injury to Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois in the new $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Tide also took advantage of a strong defense — with three sacks and two interceptions — and opportunistic special teams to take down Fisher’s Seminoles. While Alabama also suffered key injuries to linebackers, the victory kept the Tide in the hunt for yet another run toward a national championship.
Florida 29-15, SEC Championship, 2015
Alabama led 12-7 at halftime, then pulled away in the second half as Derrick Henry and the punishing offensive line wore down McElwain’s Gators. Alabama became the first team since Tennessee in 1998 to win consecutive SEC titles. Jake Coker threw two TD passes and Henry had 189 yards rushing.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
