HOOVER, Ala. — It wouldn’t surprise Jim McElwain if Nick Saban coaches into the next decade and beyond.
Squaring off against him in last season’s Southeastern Conference Championship game in Atlanta, McElwain saw a vibrant and passionate Saban. Seeing that passion and the dedication Saban has to his profession and his team, McElwain was convinced Saban still has many years left in him to coach the sport he loves.
“I think he can go forever,” the second-year Florida football coach and former assistant under Saban said. “That’s just the way he’s wired. When we were around each other that week of the SEC Championship game, I didn’t see one less bounce in his step, anything like that.”
Saban enters his 10th season as the Alabama coach and 43rd as a coach in some capacity at some level. At 65-years old, the fire and passion of a young coach is still there.
But if you heard the monotone voice Saban spoke with Wednesday at the Southeastern Conference Media Days at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel, you might think otherwise. But he cracked a joke about former South Carolina and Florida coach Steve Spurrier to lighten the mood.
“The one thing that I will is I’m usually up here responding to some barb from coach Spurrier,” Saban said.
Spurrier retired last year after 37 seasons of coaching. Always a great quote and a coach who wanted to fire up other fanbases as well as his own, decided it was time for him to step away from the game.
But Saban seems ready to lead the Crimson Tide into the new season and defend their SEC and national championships. It was his sixth SEC championship (fourth at Alabama) and fifth national championship (fourth at Alabama). He is one national championship away from tying legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at 6.
The former Kent State defensive back has compiled a 191-60-1 overall record as a college coach.
Saban’s players don’t see him slowing down.
“Coach is out there with us, he’s throwing the ball around at practice, he’s running and he’s looking well, in great shape,” rising senior tight end O.J. Howard said. “He always keeps himself up well, so there’s no telling how long coach will coach. I see him going for a long time.”
With all the success Saban has had, he has produced a nice coaching tree that includes three coaches in the SEC. Along with McElwain at Florida, former defensive coordinator Kirby Smart starts his first season as the Georgia coach and former defensive coordinator Will Mushcamp begins his first season as the South Carolina coach. Muschamp led the Florida program for four seasons.
Smart said it’s easy to see what drives Saban at this point in his career.
“He’s driven to be the best,” Smart said. “It think that’s what makes him different. Everybody is driven for their different purpose and everybody has there ‘why.’ For coach Saban, I think he wants to be the best.”
Smart spent 11 seasons with Saban between stops at LSU, the Miami Dolphins and Alabama. He got to see how Saban approaches his job and how he approaches his personal life. He got to see how Saban handles himself away from the field.
From those experiences, he agrees that Saban will coach for a long time.
“He likes it,” Smart said. “He’s passionate about it. He’s very healthy. He takes care of his body. He hasn’t slowed down a bit, I promise you that.”
Many believe Saban is good for the college football landscape because he is so successful. He has earned the respect of his fellow coaches, assistant coaches and players. He has earned the respect of his fans and many Crimson Tide fans don’t want to see him step down anytime soon.
Saban might coach for awhile and the reason why is pretty simple to McElwain.
“You know what? The guy’s something special,” McElwain said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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