COLUMN: Saban's legacy more than about winning championships

Seen here at one of his final practices as the head coach of Alabama prior to the Rose Bowl, Nick Saban leaves a legacy that cannot be duplicated. (Courtesy Unv. Alabama Athletic Department)

By GRAHAM DUNN

The epic announcement came out of nowhere. The end of an era has come.

What are we to do without Nicholas Lou Saban, Jr. leading the Alabama Crimson Tide?

We are about to find out.

But first, the retrospect must take place.

On cue, the stories are flowing from personal items regarding relationships with football’s greatest coach. Although Saban is alive and (assumedly) well, we naturally treat the moment as though he has left us altogether. So the recitations begin.

It seems like everyone has one.

Except me.

I never met the man. Never had an interview. No personal anecdotes.

I sat in on a few press conferences. Watched all the documentaries. Listened to his audio cuts, wondering why some dolt asked this question or that question.

Truth is, it’s hard for me to enshrine anyone - my mind isn’t built that way.

But Saban came as close as anyone in reaching that pinnacle for me.

It wasn’t just the wins or the championships. It wasn’t his way of handling an irrational group of reporters, particularly in his early days at the Capstone.

It really didn’t have to do as much with his style of coaching - newsflash, while close, he wasn’t perfect.

Typically, Saban found a way of making football life-changing for anyone within earshot of his messages.

Not long after he led Alabama to the first of six championships, I bought his book, The Making of a Coach, which the word “Entrepreneur” or “Successful Pastor” or “President of the United States” could have been substituted for “coach.”

It wasn’t written about winning football but about winning in everything you do.

While nothing he said was earth shattering, the message was complete and without complications. The word “process” suddenly was thrust upon those like me searching for the path to fulfillment. Success wasn’t about the end game but the path in getting there.

Ironically, the book wasn’t written after the Tide’s championship in 2009 but soon after he led LSU to the program’s first national championship in 45 years (2003). The cover had been updated and put Saban in an Alabama coaching shirt, but the message wasn’t any different - then or now.

Later, I was gifted a pre-released copy of a book by Phil Savage, a Saban protege that went beyond Alabama and back to the coach’s days as a member of the Cleveland Browns.

The book 4th and Goal Every Day was one of the better biographies I’ve ever read, although I’m not sure that was the intent.

The book gave us an inside study of how Saban went about his business. And, what it was like to be a part of it, which Savage was most certainly involved for several years before heading off on his own.

While this dynasty was developing, I was attempting to start my own business. Anyone who has entered this realm knows that you find out quickly how far you are wiling to push yourself to make it happen. I’ll give Saban’s message part of the credit for keeping me focused, yet it was (and still) a grind. That’s why I have no sadness that he is stepping down. The process is what made him. But it doesn’t have to be forever.

Then I think about the realm of college football and the coaches that have come and gone… the ebb and flow.

I was reminiscing about when Saban came on the scene at Alabama, what a rush it was.

We can say it now that he brought back a certain aura to the sport. We had enjoyed the era of Bryant, John McKay, Woody and Bo… Yes, even Joe Paterno and Tom Osborne.

Prior to Saban, college football had a void to fill in that the coaching ranks didn’t have that one guy that provided the proper leadership. Many were winners but were also cheaters (Pete Carroll) or posers (Mac Brown) and a few who had some staying power (Spurrier).

Saban went well beyond that and changed the narrative, forcing all to rethink their approach to coaching.

He brought a sense of the game that seemed at the time to have gone away. But this dynasty wasn’t built on just winning. He made it a life-changing experience for all involved - even fans.

If this sounds as though he was worshiped, yes he was. That might disgust opposing fans, but Saban was unique in his message and redefined how success could be attained.

In the last three years, the essence of the game has changed and apparently Saban isn't interested in what it is to become. Why should he since his focus is on something entirely different from this current way of doing the business of college football?

Allow me to provide a Biblical point from 1st Timothy where it reminds us that money can be the root of all evil. For too many, winning isn’t as important. Nor is personal development.

I don’t blame Saban for removing himself from the gluttony. His way of recruiting and maintaining a roster is waning. The relentless pursuit of perfection is now littered with cold hard cash. Despite what the “Keyboard Cowboys” on social media believe, he is above that and wants no part of it.

Now the question lingers - what will we do without Nick Saban?

Opposing fans are celebrating. There is no harm in that. They may not admit it but it’s a great way to salute Saban’s success. In many eyes, the King is gone and the thought is “our chance of winning titles has suddenly increased.”

Alabama fans, particularly older ones who endured the years following the retirement of Paul “Bear” Bryant, will most certainly understand that winning championships isn’t a birthright. But it has been a big part in the lives of several generations. Most wonder if another period of a lack of winning titles settles in and will be as distant as it was in 1982. It’s better not to look back but to wait and see.

For now, let the future take care of itself remember the complete legacy of Saban and not just what he did on the field.

As someone rightly stated soon after Wednesday’s announcement - “he’s done enough.”