Nick Saban reveals the main source of inspiration that helped launch coaching success

If each accomplishment requires motivation, Nick Saban is the most motivated coach in college football history. On Saturday, the Alabama head coach revealed the source behind his constant inspiration.

“I’ve had a lot of great mentors,” Saban said. “I had really good parents growing up that I think sort of promoted the right kind of values in terms of compassion for other people, doing the right thing, being a good person, having great character.

“From a professional coaching standpoint, Don James was my college coach. My high school coach had a tremendous impact on what it took to be successful. George Quarles was a great inspiration. He was the first guy to give me an opportunity to be a leader as a defensive coordinator.”

Saban played quarterback on the 1968 West Virginia state championship team. While he learned a lot during these formative years, his true passion for the game blossomed at Kent State, where he played defensive back under head coach Don James.

Saban graduated from Kent State in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in business. However, while waiting for his wife to graduate, Saban opted to serve as a graduate assistant on James’ staff. The seemingly trivial decision changed Saban’s life.

Nick Saban reflects on pivotal moment

“Don James, who I played for and who really was the inspiration to get me to be a coach because I never really wanted to be a coach,” Saban said. “He was the one that recognized that, ‘Hey, be a graduate assistant for one year and see where it takes you,’ and I said, ‘Well, I don’t really want to go to graduate school. And I don’t really want to be a coach so why would I do that?’ So that one year turned into however many — 50, I guess.

“But he had a tremendous impact on me as a person because he always promoted through athletics, through playing football, which I’ve adopted this through the years, too, with our players, is how can you create value for your future in terms of the lessons that you learn as a competitive athlete.”

Now, Saban has a chance to make his mentor proud again. On Monday, Alabama will square off against No. 1 overall seed Michigan in the College Football Playoffs semifinal. The Wolverines didn’t earn their top spot by accident.

Michigan only had two opponents finish a game within one score of them this season. No team finished within five or less points of the Wolverines. Alabama will look to end their undefeated streak. The two teams will face off at 5 p.m. ET on Monday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.