LISTEN: Tired of Attila the Hun moniker, Nick Saban shares what Miss Terry told him to shed it
By Keith Farner
Published:
Even long ago, when his head coaching career got started at Michigan State, Nick Saban admittedly developed the nickname of “Attila the Hun.”
Saban didn’t like the label, and shared as much with his wife, commonly called Miss Terry. He recalled that story in an interview with The Dan Patrick Show.
“I was always really, really upset by that,” Saban said. “Because I didn’t think it was correct. So I said that to my wife once, and she said, ‘Well, have you ever watched yourself in an interview? You’re very anxious, you’re not very cordial to the people. You look nervous, you look like you’re going to say the wrong thing. It looks like you resent the questions that they’re asking you.’ Why wouldn’t they paint a picture of you that’s maybe not who you are?’ I said OK.”
“She said sometimes the perception you have of yourself, and the perception that everybody else has is your blind spot. Yours is about as big as the Grand Canyon.’ That’s about the best advice she ever gave me. I noticed that about myself and tried to change.”
In classic Saban form, Patrick asked him if it’s his job to have fun, and Saban countered with it depends what kind of fun you want to have. Now, or at the end of the year?
Saban is often known for only celebrating wins, or even championships, for a short amount of time, and quickly turning his attention to the next task, or recruiting pursuit. But this shows that the Alabama coach can be introspective, even if he does need an assist from his wife.
Video courtesy of AT&T AUDIENCE Network
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
