Nick Saban knows there is something different about this team.
For the Alabama head football coach, a national championship could have been won in 2016 and 2018 — however, a problem arose in both years.
Whether it was Lane Kiffin getting fired or multiple coaches having their focus on other jobs, the game plan was not given its proper attention and the Crimson Tide lost in both situations.
This frustrated Saban, but it appears that he will not encounter the same obstacle on Monday night.
On Sunday, he was in a joint presser with Ryan Day of Ohio State via Zoom.
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Before he faces the Buckeyes, Saban was asked about the focus of his coaching staff. While there have been rumors on assistants leaving after this season, Steve Sarkisian is the only on-field coach that has accepted a position as the new head coach for Texas.
Despite all the information, Coach Saban is pleased with the focus of his staff — especially Sarkisian.
“I think our coaching staff has done a really good job working with our players,” Saban said. “Sark is the one guy that has shown great maturity, I think, in how he handled his situation. … I have no complaints at all with the way our coaches have handled the situation.”
When it comes to the players, Saban has enjoyed the togetherness of this group.
“The personality of this team has been really good all year, in terms of their buy-in and how they’ve tried to establish those qualities that make them a good team, and I’m very proud of what this group has been able to accomplish,” he said.
He has a staff that is locked in and players who are ready to roll.
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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
