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Nick Saban is making a mistake that’s going to harm Alabama Football

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Nick Saban is making a mistake that’s going to harm Alabama Football

For 17 years, Nick Saban made the Alabama Crimson Tide the standard in college football.

And now, he may be the reason that new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer fails as the new leader of the program.

Saban shockingly retired last month, stepping aside from a program that he helped lead to six national championships.

But instead of taking a long vacation, Saban is sticking around in Tuscaloosa. And he’s apparently looking over DeBoer’s shoulder to make sure the new Alabama coach is on the right path.

“The coaches all know that I’m available if they need me in any way shape or form to help them,” said Saban earlier this week during an appearance in Birmingham.

“I talk to Kalen every now and then, and talk to the defensive coordinator every now and then, he’s going to come over and meet me this week some time,” added Saban. “So we’re around. We’re there to support the players and help them in any way that we can, to help them to be successful.”

When Saban retired, he made it a point to note that he’s going to continue to have an office at Alabama and “be around”.

This is absolutely the last thing DeBoer needs. I’m sure some Alabama fans will suggest that having the greatest coach of all-time around to guide DeBoer is a good thing. But I don’t see how anyone can feel that way considering the amount of Saban disciples we’ve seen fail as head coaches over the last 15 years.

Trying to emulate Saban’s methods is a sure way to fail. There’s only one Saban. And Saban’s way worked for Saban because it’s what comes naturally to him. The only way to find success as a college football head coach is to be true to yourself. DeBoer got this job because of what he accomplished (and how he accomplished it) at Washington and Fresno State. He has to stay true to what got him to Tuscaloosa if he’s going to have any chance of succeeding at Alabama.

DeBoer doesn’t need the stress of Saban looking over his shoulder. Even if Saban’s intentions are pure — in other words, even if he’s not trying to influence DeBoer’s coaching style — it’s still an awkward situation. DeBoer, as any human would, is probably constantly wondering if Saban approves, or what Saban thinks, etc.

If DeBoer is going to be elite at Alabama, then he has to build the program his way. It has to be reflective of his personality. It can’t be a blend of the Saban/DeBoer way — it has to simply be the DeBoer way. And that’s going to be impossible for DeBoer to achieve with Saban’s presence looming over every decision he makes.

It’s a new era at Alabama. And the only chance of success without Saban leading the program is to wipe the facilities clean of the Saban way. Because anyone else trying to do things the same way that Saban did is bound to fail — just ask Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, Derek Dooley, Jeremy Pruitt, and Billy Napier.

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