He has had many talented teams in 15 years at the University of Alabama.
Nick Saban has also had several veteran teams in his tenure as the Crimson Tide’s head coach.
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However, his 16th season looks to provide him with something special.
He returns a talented team and a veteran team, but he mentioned something Thursday on “Hey Coach” that got people’s attention. Saban wants players to have the correct mindset on and off the field. Discipline, responsibility, work ethic, and attention to detail are a few of his core values for young athletes. Saban feels this team has bought into those values.
It may not be as talented as some of his other Tide teams, but he stated one thing that sets them apart.
*Nick Saban talks about how much he likes this Alabama team at the 37:41 mark
“We have more maturity on this team,” Saban said. “We have really good guys on the team. They work hard and have a good attitude. We have good leadership. I’m not saying we have the most talented team. We’ll see about that part of it. But I do like the intangibles.”
He said Alabama will have some 18-year-olds to contribute, but he loves the togetherness of this team.
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The Tide had a team of unselfish players in 2020, and it won a College Football Playoff National Championship. Unselfishness also led to championships for Alabama in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2017. Will Anderson, a junior outside linebacker, told reporters during fall camp Alabama had ‘no knuckleheads in the locker room.’ Other players have spoken about how the young guys have bought into the leadership from veterans. Saban said there are no ‘energy vampires’ on the team.
Alabama is excited about its season opener against Utah State. It can control how it wants this year to go.
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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.
