What drives Nick Saban’s quest for perfection? ‘I hate to lose’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Nick Saban is no doubt one of the best and most interesting coaches in all of college football.
Saban has won five national championships in his career while compiling more than 100 wins at Alabama since 2007. He has put up incredible numbers throughout his career while also providing highlights at the podium. Saban is likely to go on a rant or maybe even address modern fashion at any time in a press conference.
He is now 66-years old but still demonstrates a passion and fire for football that few others can claim. In a recent appearance on the Herbstreit & Fitzsimmons Podcast, Saban was asked about what still drives him to enjoy college football after all these years. He said the thing that keeps drawing him back to the game is the players:
“I enjoy the players the most,” said Saban on the podcast. “The most impact you get is seeing the players do well, being more successful with people, doing the right thing when it comes to getting an education. Then you coach them everyday and try and teach them and see that they make progress on the field…It always gives you another challenge, whether its the entire unit or individual players. I guess it’s a lot like teaching.”
Saban was also asked about his motivation to continue producing excellent teams at Alabama. While he did admit that he hates to lose, Saban also believes excellence eventually boils down to the kind of person you are. He also pointed to the players once again and said he feels a responsibility to do a good job for them:
“I’ve answered that question with I hate to lose, but I think that after a while its just about who you are,” Saban explained. “Are you the kind of person that wants to do things to a high standard, and you’re driven to do that everyday because it’s who you are…The last thing is you want to see the team be successful. These players put a lot of work into this, and I feel a responsibility and an obligation to do a good job for them.”
Saban’s personality and multiple rants during press conferences have sometimes led fans to various misconceptions about Saban. He was asked what he felt the biggest misconception of his personality was, and he deferred that answer to his wife:
“I think you’d be better served to ask Mrs. Terry that,” said Saban with a chuckle. “She says everybody has a blind spot, which is the difference between what you think you are and what others think you are, and she said mine is as big as the Grand Canyon. To try and answer that, I think that maybe sometimes because I am more serious than most people feel comfortable with, it makes other people feel uncomfortable. I am responsible for that, it’s not the other person’s fault.”
Saban may be a complex coach, but Crimson Tide fans are likely more than happy with the results he has produced. Alabama is back at No. 1 in the Playoff Top 25 and entering a matchup with Mercer. Saturday’s kickoff is set for 12 pm EST on the SEC Network.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
