Nick Saban sits with Theo on meeting Miss Terry at seventh-grade science camp, perfectionism and “no relief syndrome,” the Alabama dynasty and coaching tree, why NIL recruiting pushed him to retire, playoff and bowl-game worries, social media with players, and the new ESPN docuseries Saban.
Chapters
- 0:00 Cold open — seven national titles and the new ESPN docuseries Saban.
- 1:59 Meeting Miss Terry at seventh-grade science camp; a Wheeling Holiday Inn honeymoon.
- 11:12 Perfectionism, his mom’s “as well as you’re capable” lesson, and no relief syndrome.
- 15:42 The 2009 title celebration: “This is not the end. This is the beginning.”
- 22:20 Retirement realization: 50 years in a hurry without knowing it.
- 26:44 Coaching is teaching; bringing in Utah’s staff after the Sugar Bowl loss.
- 40:45 The coaching tree, and a sideways-snow recruiting drive in Iowa with Mario Cristobal.
- 47:23 Why he retired: transactional NIL recruiting and two speeches before a 4:00 meeting.
- 56:59 The 12-team playoff, strength of schedule, and fading bowl games.
- 1:01:27 Social media and players: “Focus on what you can control.”
- 1:10:33 The Saban docuseries as a scrapbook, and the Drew Brees what-if in Miami.
- 1:14:54 College GameDay nerves in Ireland, Pat McAfee, and having more fun now.
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People
On this episode
Theo Von
Official site · The Comedian List · Tour
Host. 0:00
Nick Saban
Guest. Seven national championships (one at LSU, six at Alabama); now a College GameDay analyst. 0:31
People mentioned
Miss Terry Saban
Nick’s wife of nearly 55 years; his sounding board on the retirement call. 1:59
Mario Cristobal
Former Saban assistant, now at Miami, who would not hand over the wheel in an Iowa blizzard. 43:25
Kirby Smart
Named on the Alabama coaching tree that later competed against him. 40:45
Jimbo Fisher
Named on the coaching-tree list. 40:45
Dan Lanning
Named on the coaching-tree list. 40:45
Steve Sarkisian
Named on the coaching-tree list. 40:45
Lane Kiffin
Former Alabama coordinator Saban calls a fantastic play caller and recruiter. 1:05:17
Drew Brees
The Miami Dolphins draft what-if Saban still thinks about. 1:12:51
Pat McAfee
College GameDay teammate who put Saban at ease; Saban joins his show on Fridays. 1:14:54
Joe Manchin
The West Virginia senator they kicked water slides with on Myrtle Beach trips. 18:38
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Products
Theo Von tour Official site · Theo merch Official site
Saban (ESPN Original docuseries) — six parts; premieres Thursday, Oct. 8 on ESPN and the ESPN App. Official site 1:10:33
Nick’s Kids Foundation — the Saban family foundation he mentions while asking whether they could do more. Official site 9:44
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Places
West Virginia — where Nick and Terry grew up and met. 2:03
Wheeling, West Virginia — the Holiday Inn honeymoon and a Big Boy strawberry pie. 3:21
Myrtle Beach — the family vacation spot, and water slides with Joe Manchin. 5:26
Tuscaloosa, Alabama — home of the planned Saban Center for young people. 10:55
LSU — rebuilding trust with South Louisiana families and a national title. 45:54
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Ads
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