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re: Which attributes enabled Nick Saban to be so successful as a HC?
Posted on 11/14/25 at 1:36 am to Fly1010
Posted on 11/14/25 at 1:36 am to Fly1010
They didn’t create rules, he over recruited and pulled scholarships at an absurd amount on signing day. He was infamous for the gray shirt. He has articles about that.
NIL wasn’t created to stop him. New coach is doing fine recruiting.
NIL wasn’t created to stop him. New coach is doing fine recruiting.
2
Posted on 11/14/25 at 1:50 am to Raoul_Duke
quote:
Be at a sacred cow school
Saban never coached at Auburn, Ralph.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 5:40 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
In recruiting, he had criteria for every position on the field. He identified and signed players who fit those criteria.
On defense, each player had assignments/responsibilities on each play based on formations and situations. If the offense motions a guy across the formation, responsibilities change. In short, he was a great teacher and identified other great teachers on both sides of the ball.
For awhile, he seemed to not have elite placekickers, but even that changed.
Saban strengths:
1. Recruiting
2. Teaching
Saban weaknesses:
1. Placekicking at times
2. Venables
On defense, each player had assignments/responsibilities on each play based on formations and situations. If the offense motions a guy across the formation, responsibilities change. In short, he was a great teacher and identified other great teachers on both sides of the ball.
For awhile, he seemed to not have elite placekickers, but even that changed.
Saban strengths:
1. Recruiting
2. Teaching
Saban weaknesses:
1. Placekicking at times
2. Venables
Posted on 11/14/25 at 5:45 am to 3down10
quote:
Work ethic
/thread
Posted on 11/14/25 at 5:52 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
Organization ability and common sense.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 5:59 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
He was quite good at maintaining strong relationships with NCAA exec level folks who would make sure to turn a blind eye to his rampant cheating
Posted on 11/14/25 at 6:15 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
Elite bag men.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 6:59 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
Having Asperger's
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:02 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
Two things:
He could toss cash around while his friend ignored it
No one else could toss cash around while his friend ignored it
He could toss cash around while his friend ignored it
No one else could toss cash around while his friend ignored it
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:07 am to Raoul_Duke
This is the correct answer. Didn’t want to compete on a level playing field so said adios.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:13 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
Never being satisfied and never walking past something that was not correct.
Like seeing your kid make his bed sloppy and accepting it “because he tried”. No, do it right.
Like seeing your kid make his bed sloppy and accepting it “because he tried”. No, do it right.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:14 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
Dodge Chargers 
This post was edited on 11/14/25 at 7:16 am
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:17 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
He planned for everything. I forget what former assistant it was, Kiffin maybe, that said he had a lightning protocol. Thats attention to detail.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:18 am to JayAg
Article discussing the “Saban rule”
They in fact did. The rule specifically limited head coaches from visiting high schools in the Spring. Saban was famous for working the school circuit and other coaches didnt want to have to put in the same work.
quote:
They didn’t create rules
They in fact did. The rule specifically limited head coaches from visiting high schools in the Spring. Saban was famous for working the school circuit and other coaches didnt want to have to put in the same work.
This post was edited on 11/14/25 at 7:19 am
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:20 am to Tigahtildeath
quote:
Never being satisfied and never walking past something that was not correct. Like seeing your kid make his bed sloppy and accepting it “because he tried”. No, do it right
There was a video of him at practice where he said something to the effect of practicing something til you get it right isn’t good enough. You have to practice until you can’t get it wrong.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:21 am to Crimson K
His punter at MSU said you hoped to not even have him speak directly to you bc if he did you fricked up something he didn’t like.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:22 am to SPAGHETTI PLATE
Dumb question given that he walked out as soon as NIL kicked in
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:25 am to JayAg
Relentless pursuit of improvement and accountability
Instagram: Clip of Saban interview on McAfee (from CNS' Pivot interview)
Instagram: Clip of Saban interview on McAfee (from CNS' Pivot interview)
This post was edited on 11/14/25 at 7:27 am
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:40 am to Che Boludo
Saban was average without the 50 best players on the field.
That cant be argued.
That cant be argued.
Posted on 11/14/25 at 7:52 am to Hawgleg
quote:
Hawgleg
Saban was average without the 50 best players on the field.
That cant be argued.
NIL and the portal went full swing before the 2021 season.
You really think Saban's last 3 seasons were "average" to the average HC?
Maybe sub-par for the Saban standard, but still pretty damn good by all regards.
Interesting take.
Unless you are talking about his pre-LSU HC years from that comment.
This post was edited on 11/14/25 at 7:54 am
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