Taking a Stand for Coach Saban

[ALTideUp]

This has been a tough week for Coach Saban. He has been singled out for his alleged mishandling of the greyshirts, called ruthless and worse by members of the media, bloggers, and butt-hurt fans from less successful programs. Anyone with anything good to say about him has been playing defense all week. It's time to go on offense.

I am a professor at the University of Alabama. Like most professors, I am pretty much constantly on the alert for anything that might suggest that the University's priorities are getting sideways with regard to the relative importance of athletics on campus. I have been here through five coaches, and I can say without a doubt that what Coach Saban says and does with regard to the development of his players as students and as people is head and shoulders above the others. He has earned my respect and trust, and that seems to be true for most faculty.

While other programs stoke the fires of narcissism in players who have had all sorts of sunshine blown up their backsides by parents, coaches, and "guardians", Coach Saban seems, from the outset, to tell these players that they are not special, and that what they do is more important than who they are. Graduation rates are good and Coach seems to take genuine pride in his players' academic success. The number of discipline issues on the team is down (at least as far as we know).

My general sense is that while other programs are preparing star players for a Hollywood fantasy world that doesn't exist, Coach Saban and his staff are preparing his player's for the real world. In the real world, if you don't work hard you get cut. In the real world, if you get hurt and can't play anymore, you don't get paid by your team for the rest of your life out of loyalty. If you aren't prepared for life after football, you are in deep trouble. Better to learn that at age 18 than 26.

Here's what really pisses everyone off: It's that Coach Saban can take this hard-line approach with kids and still get them to come here. Why? Because he practices what he preaches. He works hard and gets results. He betters his players and they go on to become champions and get their chance to play on Sundays. If you are a star and don't like being treated the same as everyone else, well coach has worked hard to make sure the guy behind you is also a star, so see ya later.

You can focus all you want on the handful of players who don't work out. What remains unseen are the number of young men who, had they gone elsewhere, would have become spoiled and pampered head cases, but who instead stayed here and benefitted from the football and life preparation that the program is dedicated to providing.

First down Alabama. RTR

[Coach Hank Crisp]

I really liked what you wrote. Very well written. True!


 

[double nickel]

Awesome

[Reelvalue]

BRAVO!!!!...Thanks Professor for sharing this with us!!!!

[XBAMA]

wow !  very nice !   

and as they say on the street ... "haters gonna hate"
very nice to read a positive word 

[cbbama99]

Good stuff, Professor ATU! Just more proof that CNS has his priorities straight and is trying to keep his players' priorities straight.

[ricky023]

  you are so right. I am glad to stepped up to the plate and hit a home run for CNS. RTR!

[Jamos]

I strongly agree with you, good post!!! 

[McBaman]

Extremely articulate and well written Prof ATU.  I wish you would consider sending this to an op-ed page like B'ham News or some such place.  Maybe even ESPN.

I stand behind CNS 100%.  And I'm sure I'm not alone.

RTR

[bama87]

Thank you!!!!

[2Stater]

You and Toxic stepping up and telling it like it is this week has really put things in perspective for CNS. I think we've known it all along, but it's great to hear it all from the horses mouth about the way it really is when the media is serving up slam-bombs towards CNS. The Bama program is headed up by the most dedicated, "let's do it the right way" coach presently in college football. The Bama football program could not be in better hands. Thank you for your insight.

[lstephen]

aight!!!!

[#1Tidefan]

I am a professor at the University of Alabama. Like most professors, I am pretty much constantly on the alert for anything that might suggest that the University's priorities are getting sideways with regard to the relative importance of athletics on campus. I have been here through five coaches, and I can say without a doubt that what Coach Saban says and does with regard to the development of his players as students and as people is head and shoulders above the others. He has earned my respect and trust, and that seems to be true for most faculty.

Thank You Professor! And an outstanding post and observation Sir!...
RTR!

[Chechem]

   Nice to see an educated man on the forum.   

[Jamos]

You and Toxic stepping up and telling it like it is this week has really put things in perspective for CNS. I think we've known it all along, but it's great to hear it all from the horses mouth about the way it really is when the media is serving up slam-bombs towards CNS. The Bama program is headed up by the most dedicated, "let's do it the right way" coach presently in college football. The Bama football program could not be in better hands. Thank you for your insight.

^^^THIS^^^ 

[Guest]

Username:
Password:
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

There aren't any users online.

Loading Tweet...