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ATLANTA – Nick Saban glanced around the curtain, wondering if it was time to make his big appearance.
All other Southeastern Conference Media Days must accept a supporting role.
Saban is the undisputed star of the show
Just months after his sixth national championship, the Alabama coach has straightened his crimson tie, has scraped his throat and has held half an hour at the College Football Hall of Fame Wednesday
. He addressed a wide range of topics, while specifying which ones would not reveal the slightest bit of insight (notably, Crimson Tide's quarterback dilemma, which he swept with a preemptive "yet to be determined").
He never hesitated much of his conference tone except to throw a little bit of disdain – even telling the badembled media how excited he was to be here (sorry, that's what he said). was once that he did not seem the least persuasive). [19659007Sabanaura67ansonHalloween(19659007)SurprisinglysaidlinebackerAnferneeJenkins"heseemstobeyounger"
This age-defying badessment can not be too comforting to a conference that has tried for more than a decade – without much success – to overthrow Saban from his throne.
"I really appreciate what I'm doing right now, and as long as I'm healthy and I can do it, I'll continue to do it and not worry about any number or what is my age or something like that, "he said. "I would not want to be in the position where I went down the program because I was not able to make a contribution that would be positive to the success of the program."
No worries there.
Saban's sixth national title – the one that won him the most with Bear Bryant by any coach from the history of college football – could have been his best.
The Crimson Tide fought a series of injuries, especially on the defensive side. line. There was a loss to rival Auburn in the regular season final, a loss that cost Alabama a SEC title shot. Then, after clinching a playoff spot and defeating the defending national champion in the semifinal, Saban had to face an atrocious decision in the game.
With his team at half-time 13- 0 against Georgia Quarterback Jalen Hurts – despite a career record of 25-2 – and first-year player inserted Tua Tagovailoa
All-young Hawaiian made three touchdown pbades, including a 41-yard mark in overtime to give the Crimson. Mariner another national crown.
"There was tremendous adversity, probably more adversity than any championship team we've ever had," Saban allowed, in a rare case to look back. "He was more self-fulfilling than ever before."
Of course, he did not linger long on the past.
Never.
"He probably celebrated that night," Jenkins said.
Saban's success transformed the rest of the powerful SEC into a perpetual catch-up, including concentrating his hiring coaches on someone – no matter who – who was touch. by the genius of the master.
Five of his former badistants became team leaders at the SEC. While Jim McElwain did not last long in Florida, the other four, including Kirby Smart, the rising power of Georgia, will try to get Saban out of his pedestal this season.
All other coaches, regardless of their pedigree, are aware
Even during Media Days
"When I saw the list earlier in the spring and that I saw as I spoke the same day as coach Saban, I was a little worried that I was going to have to go after him, "said new Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead. "It would be like taking the stage and playing after the Beatles."
Fortunately for Moorhead, he spoke before Saban.
Of course, it was nothing more than an act of warming up, but it was a reflection after the fact.
As with any season, Saban faces a unique set of challenges. He will have to adjust the situation of the quarterback and deal with the fallout when he finally names a starter. He will have to cope with an unusually high turnover rate for his team, replacing six new coaches, including defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt (the new Tennessee coach) and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll (who took the same Buffalo position). Bills)
But as long as Saban is at the top of the organization, as he calls it, Alabama should be fine.
Someone asked how much his wife, Terry, would have on his decision to finally call it a career.
"Mrs. Terry does not want me at home," says Saban, showing a bit of dry humor that he does not have enough credit. "She does not care if I'm 60, 70 or 80. She's looking for something to do for me."
As for his health, Saban pointed to the basketball games that are a valuable part of his rare "Our basketball team at noon has been unbeaten again this year," said Saban, so is always an indicator to me that I can get through another season. "
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Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963. His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paul%20newberry
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