He has practiced social distancing, he’s adjusted to the Zoom meetings and he has even been checking his own emails, but Nick Saban is itching to get back to work.
As the head coach of the University of Alabama football program, Saban and the Crimson Tide fans had its sights on spring practice on Friday, March 13. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic made its way to the United States and turned the country upside down. Schools were closed immediately; business were shut down and all athletic events for the spring got cancelled.
In wanting to make sure his players are prepared, Saban adjusted to the crisis and the coaching staff has not had any issues teaching and monitoring student-athletes. Despite the enjoyment of being with his family, Saban told Scott Van Pelt of ESPN he’s ready to return to campus.
“I’ve been looking forward to going back to work so I can tell somebody else what to do,” Saban said. “I was getting a lot of orders around here, but it has been a good time.”
Other than having him check his emails, Mrs. Terry Saban has probably had the six-time national champion making store runs, recording movies/television shows and handling the grandchildren.
During this time of uncertainty, Saban said COVID-19 has actually helped the team in terms of providing more teachable moments. In the spring, Alabama is so focused on practicing that the staff doesn’t get the opportunity to really teach. Saban mentioned how the Tide has been taking things slow and that the Zoom calls have enhanced the players. They will know what to do mentally upon getting back on the field, but reacting to physical contact is the question.
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Saban is very hopeful to have summer practices, seeing how not having spring ball really affected the freshman class. According to him, the spring semester teaches freshmen and other inexperienced players the basics concepts of the system.
These individuals will have the toughest time adjusting, especially if Alabama is not granted a summer program. As much as Saban loves coaching and seeing his family travel with him for every victory and championship, rekindling the closeness with his loved ones is something he considers to be very essential.
“I have probably spent more time with the family and this is not a family friendly profession that we are in: the coaching profession,” Saban said. “So, this has been an opportunity to spend some quality time with your children, your grandchildren, your wife… we probably do things together and talk more now than we did before and I think those are all good things.”
She may bug him to do certain things, but Saban wouldn’t have it any other way than with his wife.
“What is essential gets a little distorted for us all,” Saban said. “We get so involved in a job, profession or work and sometimes the relationships we need to make that work go well and have success… we lose sight of some of the essential relationships that are very personable. As you get older, you start to have a greater amount of appreciation for the relationships you have been able to have through the years. Mrs. Terry has certainly been one of the best ones I’ve ever had.”
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With the presidents of the Southeastern Conference voting soon on the athletes returning to campus on either June 1 or June 15, Saban will be back to the grind before we know it.
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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.
