From Sporting News. Looks like the Bama fans and alumni just don't 'get it.' http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=260634 SN: So your time is sacred? SABAN: I try to protect the time I think you need to spend on coaching your players, developing your players and recruiting to have a chance to be successful. The people at LSU had a tremendous amount of respect for: That guy's the coach and that's what we want. They didn't care about you playing golf outings in Louisiana. I only played in two the whole time I was there. I've already played in six here and turned down 50 others, and no one seemed to get it. Well, how can I go recruit and do the things I need to do when you have me doing all of this stuff?
Everybody's got to do it their own way. nick has his way, and he's produced good results in college ball, poor in the pro's. SOS seems to be able to get in a round of golf here and there, and still produce, so it can be done by some. nick doesn't seem to feel he can do it, and if he wins enough, the Bama fans will forgive him.
When the Tide go 8-4 this year, Saban will be able to say he was being sidetracked too much. That will give him a free pass to avoid anything he wants to avoid, including the press.
While I don't know what he said exactly, it's important to note his contract says that he only has to appear at 15 events per year. IF, I were one of the organizers of events/charity events in AL I would be looking for his appearance as well. That goes against your assertation, Chip.
i take the comment as the people that really put the money into the university don't get that he needs to be with the players and not playing golf. i assume he's been pressured into playing with certain people because of what they contribute to the university. this may be just an example he's using to describe where the attention is there as compared to where it was at lsu.
That's one of the big things I've noticed since I moved to Tuscaloosa. The football coach isn't just a football coach. He's a spokesman and symbol of the community. Tuscaloosa "high society" wants to hobknob with the coach. Charity events want to have the coach speak to them. Local businesses want the coach in commercials. Baton Rouge never cared about that. They realize idealize the football coach here, and make him basically the town mascot. That was why I said, when all the rumors started swirling about Saban coming here, that I didn't think he was a good fit here. Shula was an excellent spokesman and was highly visible in the community. Saban would much rather lock himself in his office and watch film 16 hours a day.
This is the main thing that had me a little anxious about Saban coming to Bama. I'm hoping that the big money people learn to respect the way the man works. It may take some time but I believe a proper balance will be reached.
This is why Nick did so well at LSU. He stayed out of the media's attention. If you will remember Gerry was too much into to the media and spent lots of time on air and little time disciplining players and coaching. That made a HUGE difference. Never mind the fact that Nick is twice the coach Gerry will ever be.
My comment was more about Saban being in a position where he has to develop his own system/program from the ground up. Coaches who have been in a program for a few years only have to tweak and adjust. Saban is currently dealing with a total transition and the learning curve that goes with it.
I think most Bama people understand how he operates. There are some that he is simply going to have to bend to his will. Only one thing will do that. Wins. If he wins enough he will call all the shots without so much as a question. In that regard, he has a leg up on the others who have coached here in the last 25 years because he has won a national title.
