Paul Finebaum: Nick Saban losing to former assistants is becoming normal

Alabama‘s 34-24 loss to Texas on Saturday represented Nick Saban‘s first double-digit loss at home since 2003. It also represented one of Saban’s few losses against one of his former assistants, as Longhorns’ head coach Steve Sarkisian was able to return the favor after falling to the Crimson Tide in Austin last season.

College football analyst Paul Finebaum joined ‘The Matt Barrie Show’ on Sunday and spoke about Saban losing to his former assistants, a trend that’s become more common than usual as of late.

“To the bigger picture, when I heard someone say today this was now the third time Nick Saban has lost to a former assistant, it’s starting to become normal,” Finebaum said. “We went all those years where not only was he beating assistants, he was averaging about 20-point margin and now in two games into the third season of this set. He lost to Jimbo [Fisher] two years ago, he obviously lost to Kirby Smart, and now he’s lost this game.”

Saban’s 15-year run of success at Alabama has resulted in the creation of one of the largest coaching trees in college football history, as a multitude of his former assistants have gone on to become head coaches elsewhere.

Traditionally Saban has had the upper hand on his former assistants, but Finebaum is curious if the student has now become the teacher.

“And it won’t be the last time he loses to a former assistant, and I think if you’re Nick Saban this morning you’re trying to correct the problem but you’re also beginning to wonder how much damage could I be doing to my legacy?” Finebaum asked. “And I realize that sounds like an overreach and that sounds hyper but it’s really not though. These things collapse very quickly Matt and fans need hope.”

The Crimson Tide went 11-2 last season, but missed out on the SEC Championship game and the College Football Playoff, two events that have become the standard in Tuscaloosa since Saban’s arrival.

Their two losses were narrow ones last year, but Saturday’s? Not so much. As Finebaum detailed Alabama’s recent history that could be a look ahead towards a potential step back for the Crimson Tide moving forward.

“Last year they lost to Tennessee on the final play, and again, we all know they should’ve won. I mean that was absurd how that happened. And then the LSU game they were the better team, they let it slip away in overtime. And even though Alabama almost lost three other games, including Texas, the fans hung their hat on and Saban did to when he campaigned for the playoffs. We lost two games on the final play. What are we, September 10th? That’s already been taken out of his repertoire, he lost by 10 points at home and it should’ve been 20,” Finebaum condluded.