Nick Saban learns lesson from international recruit parent, immediately uses with team

West Virginia native and Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s life has been about as American as you can get, but he recently learned a lesson from an unlikely source outside of the United States.

Saban had a call with an international recruit on Wednesday, and after talking with the prospect, the player’s father entered the call to talk with the legendary coach.

“The dad, who’s never been to the United States that I know of, says ‘I know the Alabama standard,’” Saban said Thursday on “Hey Coach & The Nick Saban Show.”

Saban subsequently asked the father to clarify what that standard is to him. 

“You guys do things right with all your might,” the recruit’s father answered.

Saban took the brief but telling quote back to his team, a team which is coming off a rare regular season loss at the hands of Texas A&M. 

“So I actually told the team that today,” Saban said. “I said ‘Are you doing that? Can you honestly say that’s what you’re doing? Is that what you do everyday? Is that what you’ve done all season long? Is that what you’re doing everyday? Personally? Is that what you’re doing in school? Is that what you’re doing as a football player? And if you’re not, you’re leaving lots of money on the table because you’re not really being the best that you can be.’”

He ended with what can only be described as a quintessential Saban statement. 

“I’m not apologizing for making you do that.”

Leach believes Saban’s unapologetic attitude makes him special

Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach would likely compliment the speech Saban gave his players after talking with the recruit, and he had similar words earlier this week when discussing what makes Saban top-notch.

“He’s not afraid to tell somebody no or push somebody hard,” Leach told the media on Monday. “Occasionally somebody will get some five-star parade All-American, and he’s afraid to coach him. Coach Saban’s not afraid to coach that guy and push that guy. So I’ve always thought the strongest things he did was evaluate and push guys.”

The second-year head coach’s team will host the No. 5 Crimson Tide this weekend and will have a chance to see how his squad matches up to Saban’s. 

Alabama’s secondary, which has improved on paper from last season, will face a daunting task: stopping the Air Raid offense. Mississippi State leads the SEC in passing yardage at 372.4 yards per game, and the offensive style seems to be clicking far better than it did in 2020. If Alabama can slow down the pass game, it will be a long day for the Bulldogs who average just 56.2 yards per game on the ground. 

Alabama is a 17-point favorite in the game which will be ESPN’s primetime contest on Saturday, kicking off at 6:00 p.m. CT.