Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs played under former Alabama head coach Nick Saban for three seasons. When joining “The Pivot Podcast“, Jacobs spoke about his relationship with Saban throughout his college career.
“The thing about him though is like so many people walk on eggshells around him that anybody that is willing enough to have the balls to be a man enough to speak on him that he respects you.”
Over the years, several players have detailed their experience at Alabama playing under Saban. From an outsider’s perspective, it seems like Saban would be more hard-nosed and hot-headed. However, Jacobs added some insight into how he was able to build a close relationship with Saban.
“Like people be like “How y’all’s relationship was how it was, like he joke around with me and things.” I’m like cause I talk to him for real. Like I tell him when he tripping, like “You wrong.””
It certainly seems like it would take a lot for someone to stand up to Saban and tell him that he is wrong. However, Jacobs noted that those people are usually the ones that Saban opens up to the most.
“A lot of people were scared to do that. Even people that just work for him,” Jacobs said, “But he is a fair guy man. I mean and he is you know the greatest, in my opinion, college coach of all-time.”
Since leaving Alabama, Jacobs has gone on to have a successful career thus far in the NFL. It seems like the hard coaching and conversations that he had with Saban have paid dividends.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
