Saban seems the most happy he’s ever been.

Maybe, but he's moving around awful stiff on the sideline and out to midfield after destroying folks. Better start really soaking this all up because even Saban will eventually lose to father time.

Mortality is a bitch

Jesus he's not even 70 yet. Everyone's acting like 2011 Joe Paterno is walking our sidelines

Glad to see him enjoying the fruits of his relentless labors. But also realize that this is probably the first small, benign sign that he’s approaching the waning years of his career. A younger vintage Saban never let the scowl slip out of place in a game atmosphere. He’s earned the right to mellow a bit but it’s just a telltale that Father Time is about to take the lead late in the game against CNS.

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But also realize that this is probably the first small, benign sign that he’s approaching the waning years of his career. A younger vintage Saban never let the scowl slip out of place in a game atmosphere.

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Yeah I think this is totally the wrong take. When has Saban ever acted without purpose or intention. I think Saban's attitude shift over the last 3-4 years is completely intentional. Today's players do not respond to the old school screamer coaches. Sure some of that is effective in small doses. But look around at the trend of coaches in sports. In the NFL everybody wants to hire a young guy who the players relate to, a player's coach. Even Andy Reid and Bruce Arians, although older, are famously players coaches. In the NBA it's the same thing, everybody is hiring 40 year old former players as head coaches because they can relate to and manage the players better. College game is seeing a lot of the same thing: look at Ryan Day and Lincoln Riley. College basketball same thing, young analytical guys who players relate to.

Call it softening of players, todays young people, whatever. The trends right now are that players are more responsive to collaborative leadership and positive reinforcement, than the old school authoritarian dictator coaches. They respond better to criticism that is measured and rational rather than aggressive and loud. I think Saban knows that and he's modulated his attitude to help get the most out of his players. He's still critical of them. He still holds them to an incredibly high standard. He still runs a harder and more physical practice than just about anyone in the country. Practice weeks after a loss are still terrifying. But there are less public arse chewings. More positive encouragement. More willingness to be friendly with the players and do fun stuff like take them out on the lake.

Transfer portal and the 1 free transfer rule also come into play here. Guys can just leave you now without big consequences. They don't have to put up with the screamers anymore. If you mistreat them, they have the leverage to leave. You have to treat them with some degree of empathy or you'll get punished for it now.


Also on just the physical wearing down, let's relax on that. Saban doesn't need to exactly run the 400m dash to be an effective coach. He just got a new hip and otherwise he's very healthy for a man his age. He still warms up with the players some days. He runs laps with the coaches when they use that trick for player motivation. He's still getting into a backpedal to show the DBs proper technique.

I mean heck, Joe Paterno had back to back 11-2 seasons in his 80s. I think Saban will be able to field a pretty strong team for as long as he pleases.

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But also realize that this is probably the first small, benign sign that he’s approaching the waning years of his career. A younger vintage Saban never let the scowl slip out of place in a game atmosphere.

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I saw plenty of scowls on Saturday. Plenty of rookie mistakes that will give him an excuse to chew some arse.

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Maybe, but he's moving around awful stiff on the sideline and out to midfield after destroying folks.

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He's looked the same to me.

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Mortality is a bitch

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Nick Saban IS IMMORTAL

This is the 1st year where Saban looks old to me. Still looks great for 70, but he just looks like an older dude now, and the jog to midfield after the game was sobering. Never seen him run like an old man before. That said, he’s still in good health and has a super sharp mind. Fully expect another 5 years of domination from him and would not be shocked to get a couple more after that. Still, just a good reminder to enjoy this epic run with the GOAT. It certainly won’t last forever. These are the golden years boys, let’s enjoy every second!!

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and the jog to midfield after the game

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At least Saban can run, many of his much younger counterparts are overweight and out of shape.

All I need to know about Saban’s health is how he managed COVID-19.