Below is Terry Saban's foreword to the Tuscaloosa News' Nick Saban Memorial Book, which looks back on his legendary 17 seasons coaching Alabama football. Order his 192-page hardcover book, packed with expert storytelling and stunning action photography, from Pediment Publishing.
Here at Alabama, we had that foundation and were ready to build something special on top of it: a pyramid that towered over many years of football history. The late Alabama track and field coach Mal Moore once told me, “Most people don't realize how difficult it is to win championships. You have to have great players and great coaches, but for that to happen. The stars have to align in the right way.'' Add Nick's “Process'' to the formula. It is based on focused discipline, hard work and a relentless competitive spirit. His combination of the two has helped us navigate all the changes to college football and the challenges we've faced since our arrival. In Tuscaloosa.
The new offensive philosophy required the development of a new defense. Adjustments were necessary due to changes in hiring rules and recruiting calendars. Losing a coach to a competing program meant bringing in a new staff. Changes have also occurred with the implementation of NIL rules and transfer portals. When the 2011 tornado struck Tuscaloosa and shook every athlete, student, and resident to their core, the team wasted no time in providing food, water, and clothing to those in need. I spent the next few days and weeks helping with the cleanup. Nick's Kids Foundation was also able to build several Habitat for Humanity homes for people who lost everything. Although COVID-19 brought new and unique challenges, he posted a perfect 13-0 record in 2020 and won another national championship.
Buy the book:Nick Saban's career changed Alabama football forever
grind
Our satisfaction didn't come from end-of-season rewards. Rather, it was from the daily struggles and grueling schedule of doing whatever it took to become a winner.
Hiring of staff was done annually.
Evaluate talent.
Entertaining recruits and their families.
They fly around the country and visit recruits' schools and homes.
Teach your team life skills.
With the help of guest speakers ranging from Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez to Michael Phelps, Mike Tyson, and Ken Griffey Jr., we added motivation. Each speaker always gave a great story to the team.
Studying opposition parties.
Maintain good mental and physical health.
Travel for away games for weeks at a time.
hotels and buses.
Deal with discipline.
Academic report.
On Sunday mornings, Nick sat in a pew in front of the church, scoring the previous game one play at a time.
Radio program.
media days.
Build relationships with your players, who are the heart and soul of any program.
I see these young people working as a team and fully committed to each other and the goals of the program.
Long and intense practice.
Overcome your injury.
Perfect each player's role and duty. Teaching and coaching on the field has always been Nick's true love.
icing
If these days are the recipe for a cake, the icing is made from a combination of many other sweet memories.
I'm preparing my house to be filled with company.
Place the pot of chili and pepperoni rolls on the stove.
Share Thanksgiving dinner with your family and players.
We set up a table for breakfast recruitment at our house.
Karaoke with the families of new recruits.
Tuscaloosa Lake tubing with freshmen and leadership group.
Bring a clear purse and shaker to the game.
Lay out the red costume for the game the night before.
White tents can be seen on quads and crowded streets.
Visit the Walk of Champions.
Experience a packed Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Listen to the amazing Million Dollar Band and the pre-game elephant march.
They sing “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Yeah Alabama.”
Watch as the team takes the field to “Thunderstruck.”
Eating a stadium hot dog.
I heard students sing their own version of “Dixieland Delight.”
Cheerleaders.
Elevated road.
big rivalry.
Plays – Some great plays by legendary players sealed unforgettable victories, while others led to long nights of learning from mistakes.
Our loyal fans stayed until we sang “Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer.”
Big Al.
trend.
lucky penny.
White House visit.
At the Captain's Ceremony, more than 50 captains stamped their handprints on Denny Chimes.
We are working with the wives of players and coaches to build Habitat Houses.
Teacher appreciation luncheons and events.
Nick operates most Fridays at noon before home games, with proceeds going to soccer scholarships.
Construction of the St. Francis Saban Student Center.
After the game, Nick and I drove home and we played the song “Gimme Shelter” only if we won.
Many people gathered early in the morning for College Game Day on campus.
Continued improvements to our football facilities to keep us ahead of the competition, particularly the LED lights added by Stadium Director Greg Byrne to enhance the stadium experience. we loved them.
Athletics directors Vern, Moore and Bill Battle call me every week and ask, “Do you need anything?'' The support from UA's leaders, including President Robert Witt, Dr. Judy Bonner, and Dr. Stuart Bell, has always been beneficial, and thanks to their leadership, UA's enrollment has grown to 25,580 at the time of his 2007 enrollment. from people to his 39,623 in 2023.
Under Mayor Walt Maddox's leadership, experience Tuscaloosa's growth with a farmers market, dual enrollment program, amphitheater, hotels, restaurants, riverwalk, skating rink, government plaza, and more.
The legacy of the Knicks Kids Foundation will extend beyond the championship. He has donated more than $12 million to support programs for children, from playgrounds and habitats to juvenile detention centers and programs for children.
Saban Center. We will partner with the City of Tuscaloosa and community members to create an interactive discovery and learning center, home of the Tuscaloosa Children's Theater, and the Alabama STEM Hub, which will provide a professional development space for teachers and others. This is an investment in Tuscaloosa for years to come.
Every Thursday night on his call-in radio show, Grand Bay Pee Wee was always the first to call in with questions about the offensive line, where he heard some of Nick's famous quotes. “Cut out the clutter and focus on things, that's something you can control,” and “All that stuff about how good we are is like rat poison poisoning the team.”
While we were in Alabama, we watched our children grow up, graduate from the University of Alabama, and get married. And now I feel the joy of becoming grandparents. Tuscaloosa truly is our home. The past 17 years have been filled with once-in-a-lifetime wonderful memories, and I'm so grateful. It's really hard to explain them all.
It is often said that life is not a sprint, but a long distance run where you are handed the baton and run as fast as you can until you pass it to the next runner. There were no shortcuts, no regrets, only great memories of a very special time in our lives and in Alabama football history. Roll tide!
— Mr. T
