Alabama football and Nick Saban just keep grinding

Much of the conversation during the offseason has been defined by the gap between Alabama football and the rest of the SEC. The reason for the gap is Nick Saban and the Grind.

Alabama football has arguably achieved unparalleled success under Nick Saban. Since 2010, no other SEC school has won a national championship. Alabama football has won three. Not since Steve Spurrier’s mid-1990’s run at Florida has a SEC school won three consecutive conference championships.

While there is no historical measurement for participation in the College Football Playoff, Alabama football being the only school in the Playoff every year is significant. The Tide-Tennesee series does provide a historical comparison. Alabama and Tennessee are the two most successful football programs in SEC history. The Vols have not beaten Alabama football since October 21, 2006.

Alabama Crimson Tide Football

The goal of most perennial top college football programs is continuity. University Presidents and Athletic Directors establish facilities, support staffs and financial resources designed to outlast in vagaries in coaching tenures.

Mal Moore did that well at Alabama though it took him several years. Bill Battle and Greg Byrne have built upon Mal’s success. College football fans argue that Saban could have achieved his Alabama-level success at many other schools. Some Alabama football fans argue the Mal Moore designed Alabama program package afforded Saban an opportunity no other school could replicate.

The work ethic instilled in Nick Saban by Nick Sr. has been well documented. Though well known it should never be discounted. Because of those early lessons, Nick Saban does not just love to grind, he worships the grind. All day, every day. Without it, he wonders if he would be lost.

For all the value inherent in the strengths and resources of the Alabama football program, the key component is the Saban grind. Al.com’s Kevin Scarbinsky explains,

"The constant is Saban. The players come and go, as do the assistant coaches … While Saban is still grinding"

Comparing Nick Saban and Butch Jones

Scarbinsky points out the current divide between Alabama football and Tennessee is evident in the perspectives of the two head coaches. At the end of Tennessee’s 9-4 2016 season, the Vols head coach, Butch Jones said,

"“I don’t view it as a disappointment.”"

Compare that to Nick Saban’s resolve after coming up a second short of a repeat national championship. Nick’s response to the 2016 Alabama football season is very different to that of Butch Jones.

"“We don’t want to waste a failure.”"

At Tennessee, losing four games is not a disappointment. While at Alabama, going 14-1 is a failure. At Alabama, the difference in perspective is a Continuum of Expectation.

Kevin Scarbinsky is correct. The divide between Alabama football and the rest of the SEC is wide and deep. It is not likely to change until some other coach at another SEC program learns how to out-grind Nick Saban. That is not likely to happen soon.

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Alabama football players have no doubt grown weary of the fall camp grind. It is time to move on to FSU. Check in with us often for all the latest information.