Nick Saban on realignment, competitive balance, what drives him nuts and games ‘our fans don’t want to see’

It might be July and school head coaches are taking what little time they’ll earlier than fall camp begins.

Nick Saban, nonetheless, needed to run by the Alabama athletic complicated to examine on some issues, together with some 7-on-7 work developing within the subsequent few days. So, he spent a couple of minutes catching up with Greg McElroy – one in every of his former quarterbacks – on the SEC Community analyst’s podcast, “All the time Faculty Soccer.”

Saban mentioned convention re-alignment, aggressive stability and what “drives him up a tree.”

Convention realignment

As convention and groups scatter on the lookout for long-term houses within the ever-changing world of school athletics, Saban stated traditions will probably be misplaced, however the Alabama coach’s greatest concern is what he calls aggressive stability.

“I believe there will probably be loads of custom in conferences that can not exist,” Saban stated on the podcast. “I believe we’ve gone by that to some extent prior to now.”

He cited Oklahoma and Nebraska and the magnitude of what that yearly match used to imply to the game. But, the 2 haven’t met in a while.

“I believe we’re going to take care of it in a terrific capability than ever earlier than as a result of mega-conferences are hear to remain,” he defined.

His “greatest concern”

It’s, as Saban places it, aggressive stability.

Based mostly on his eight years within the NFL, Saban stated the league could be “ecstatic” if each workforce was 8-8 heading into the ultimate week needing a win for a playoff berth. “As a result of how a lot fan curiosity does that create? How a lot TV rankings and all these issues does that create?”

In brief, he stated, each rule within the NFL is designed to convey parity to the league. That’s not the case in school soccer.

“We don’t have any guard rails on what we’re doing proper now,” he stated. “We have now no restrictions on who might do what. Some individuals are going to be able to doing sure issues. Different folks aren’t going to be succesful, however the backside line is we’ll lose aggressive stability.”

The feedback are much like those made about NIL and Texas A&M in Could, although, Saban didn’t particularly identify groups, coaches or gamers.

The variety of scholarships and the identical recruiting guidelines – Saban argues – have been in place to maintain issues balanced.

“You gonna create extra haves and have nots,” Saban, who admitted Alabama is among the haves, stated concerning the lack of guard rails.

Because the divide in aggressive stability widens, “they’ll be much less good video games,” he stated.

“Considered one of my greatest issues about school soccer is attendance is regularly falling off. I believe one of many causes for that’s high quality of video games.

“We in all probability play three or 4 video games a yr our followers don’t wish to see. I don’t wish to play any video games don’t wish to come and see.”

Alabama’s non-conference slate this yr options Texas, however the Tide will get the Longhorns in Austin. Alabama hosts Utah State, Louisiana-Monroe an Austin Peay.

The issue, as Saban sees it, is it’s tough to schedule video games followers wish to see as a result of so many groups are striving for bowl eligibility. “It’s arduous to get folks to play these video games.”

What motivates you?

It is not uncommon information that Saban hates to lose.

However that isn’t what retains him going.

“I can’t stand to see folks not do issues the proper manner,” he defined. “It drives me completely loopy as a result of my complete objective as a coach is to get everyone to achieve their complete potential, to be the perfect model of themselves: personally, academically, athletically.

“It’s such as you’re sabotaging your self for those who’re not making an attempt to be that. Someone has to create a path for you and present you the best way to edit your conduct to do this.”

He joked he is perhaps a perfectionist.

“It drives me up a tree to see guys not do issues from an effort standpoint, toughness standpoint, from a duty (standpoint), to know what to do, the best way to do it, why it’s essential,” he defined.

Take a look at the complete interview beneath, which additionally discusses participant accountability, social media and extra.

Mark Heim is a sports activities reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Comply with him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.