Is his consistent dominance the reason for national media outlets and different foundations not recognizing him for Coach of the Year honors?
It certainly looks that way.
Nick Saban is expected to be the best. He’s expected to have top recruiting classes, win national championships on a consistent basis and position a bevy of players to pursue their dreams as professionals in the National Football League. In fact, he is expected to excel so much that many people do not feel the need to honor him with an award.
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While some may consider this the ultimate form of respect, fans of Alabama football take much offense and want explanations. For a team that was decimated with injuries at linebacker in 2017 and transitioned multiple assistant coaches to new jobs, Saban was able to win a national title last year and has this year’s team in position to repeat.
Recruiting four and five-star talent is one thing; however, Saban and his coaching staff get the utmost in production from players each year.
He handled a quarterback competition well (keeping both guys) and continues to show all his former assistants that he remains king of the block. Saban was selected as one of six finalists for the George Munger Coach of the Year award on Monday, per the Maxwell Football Club.
Congratulations to our 2018 George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award finalists! pic.twitter.com/MEXgP6Y6LP
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) December 10, 2018
He is also a finalist for both Bobby Dodd and Eddie Robinson national coaching awards.
The 67-year-old won the George Munger Award in 2016, with a defense that generated 54 sacks and a quarterback in Jalen Hurts being the Southeastern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman.
Saban will face Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma on Saturday, Dec. 29 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., for the Orange Bowl via the ESPN College Football Playoff.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
