Saban to Spurrier Comparisons Got It Wrong

I just noticed the latest reference to Saban's Reign in terms of potentially being Spurrier-like and some folks have made reference to a Spurrier-like domination of the SEC. There is certainly merit to that view in some ways but there was something bothering me about that comparison and last night it dawned on me that we are likening him to the wrong standard.
Other than winning, there are more differences between the two men than similarities.

In terms of personalities:

Spurrier portrayed an arrogant, self important, petty, grudge holding asshole of the first magnatude and proud of it to boot. Usually he was seen wearing an expression that suggested he had just bitten down on a bad tasting bug.

Saban prefers to credit others, always points to the big picture, is big enough to put the past behind him "get over it" and "Let's move on, got it",(haha), shares credit with the players AND fans, obviously loves what he is doing and seems almost the "anti-Spurrier" in every way except intensity and attention to detail.

Spurrier thought he was God's gift to football.
Saban thinks football is God's gift to him.
(credit my wife for that one).

Football wise, Spurrier was offensively oriented, Saban is defensively oriented.

Spurrier would run up the score, Saban runs out the clock.

No my friends, there is another to whom Saban bears a much closer resemblance. Someone associated with respect and dignity, doing things the right way, someone who would pound you mercilessly until you were beaten, but then would run out the clock rather than run up the score. Someone who could not keep assistant coaches because other folks kept making head coaches out of them.

BEAR BRYANT

 

What an excellent post and point...You're right..Saban is a class act and understands that football is abou winning, not about scoring 100 more than your opponent.

 

I KNOW YOU'RE RIGHT!!!!!!!!JUST ASK ANYONE, EXCEPT THAT BUNCH OF DUMBASSES IN FLA., WHO THEY'D RATHER HAVE AS A COACH!!:geaux: :lsug:

 

Saban like Bear Bryant is pure BS, IMO. Don't know how old you are but many of the older fans will agree with me that Bryant, unlike Saban, was arrogant and used every angle to promote his wins over losses. The officials always gave him calls over other teams.
I remember in the early eighties when LSU was playing Bama. Alabama was ahead, I believe 7-3. They drove the length of the field and fumbled. Ramsey Darder fell on the ball and the official slignaled LSU ball. Ramsey Darder dropped the ball and a Tide player grabbed the ball. Another official overrode the first guy and gave the ball to Alabama.

Another example: I heard Charlie Mac relate a story on a radio interview a few months before his death. Back when he was coaching against the Bear, at a coaches convention prior to the season, there was an agreement to no longer allow a particular play in the SEC. I believe it was the tackle eligible play. The following season when Alabama was playing Ole Miss, Alabama drove the length of the field close to the Ole Miss Goal line, he called the tackle eligible play and scored. When Ole Miss questioned the call the officials ruled in favor of Alabama. Later, according to Coach Mac, when he and Bryant were in conversation, Mac asked Bear about the play. Mac said he told Bryant that he knew the play was illegal, why did he call it. Brayant answered, just to show that t he officials would not throw the flag.

Another example: One year at the end of the season, Alabama was undefeated and ranked number one. Nebraska was a great team as well and ranked number two. Bear used his influence with the Bowls Committee to arrange a playoff with Ohio State, rather than playing the higher rated team of Nebraska.

 

Well I am old enough to be one of the older guys, and started LSU in the fall of 73. I dont agree with your take on Bryant, and dont think your examples help your point much.

I dont know how him getting calls from officials has anything to do with it, though it may come that officials become a little intimidated of Saban like they were (admittedly) of Bryant, and if they do I wont mind.

The tale to McClendon sounds like typical Bryant-speak. He very seldom answered anything directly and always had people guessing whether he was telling the truth or pulling their leg.

I remember the last example, and while there were two sides to that story I tend to believe the version you cite there. Once again though, he thought that was in the best interest of his team and I dont see what it has to do with the points here.

Be that as it may, we are free to disagree in a friendly discussion and I respect your opinion.

 

Fantastic post Shadeaux.

Highlight:
Spurrier thought he was God's gift to football.
Saban thinks football is God's gift to him.

You got yourself a good woman.

 

I agree with most everything you say there shadow BUT I guess I missed something because I never really thought Spurrier dominated te SEC. When I think of domination I think of the Bear Bryant, Charlie Mac years. Not Steve Spurrier.

 

No, you got it right JSracingBBF, that is what got me to thinking about this in the first place. Of course this has not taken place yet, but it sure appears to be on the verge of settling in.

 

No matter if you like Spurrier or Bryant, there is no questioning what those coaches meant to Florida and Ala, and the long term dedication to those schools . . . and I think that is the real point of this thread. Not that Saban could be a Spurrier or Bryant clone, but that he could mean as much to LSU as those guys meant to their schools. I feel like it is already happening. We just seem to play with a lot of confidence under Saban.

Just curious . . . are there any sportscasters or ex-coaches that LSU fans can like? It seems Spurrier, Bryant, and Keith Jackson are all off limits for one reason or another. Personally I hate Spurrier, I felt he was a jackass running up the score and his attitude, but I knew he was a good coach (just not a good coach to play against). I like both Bryant and Jackson, in terms of what they meant to college football, I could care less about their personal beliefs.

 

Damn, LSUfan, stuck a little knife in there.
Spurrier? Arrogant and cocky as all get out but I became an admirer because he put the skins on the wall.
Bryant? Hated that his teams always beat LSU but never, ever did not respect the man as a head coach.
Jackson? Always did like his good ole boy charm. Never had a problem with Keith Jackson and still don't.
Don't paint all LSU fans with the same broad brush. You only hear a few of the opinions.