Alabama Football: Vols Week and Nick Saban Creates Tension
By Ronald Evans
The highlight of every Thursday for many Alabama football fans is Nick Saban’s radio show ‘Hey Coach.’ Check out what happened this week.
Of all the Alabama football, public personas of Nick Saban the one that enlivens his ‘Hey Coach’ radio show is the most interesting. For whatever reason, it is the time each week when the public Saban allows more of his personality to be seen. It is almost as though he has a couple of beers before the show and loosens up. That is not it because Saban doesn’t drink.
It is something else. Maybe after a long day, he is tired and he chooses to lighten the always load of being always guarded. Maybe it is because he is in control. There are no tough questions. The callers and media guests either revere or respect (or fear) him too much to ask an unpleasant question.
For whatever reason, the ‘Hey Coach’ Nick Saban persona allows fun, less varnished communication. Occasionally, it even appears to offer candor.
Let’s take a different approach this week and follow the latest “Hey Coach’ via tweets.
Nick Saban asked if this has been a good week. "I'd rather not comment on it. We got them straightened out today, though."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) October 20, 2017
Nick Saban: "You listen to all the noise out there about how good you are. It's a challenge. But I don't believe in 'tired.'"
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 20, 2017
Nick Saban: "Every now and then it's good to create tension. I created tension today to get them going."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 20, 2017
Oh boy.
Nick Saban: "You don't know the challenge it is to keep these guys on edge so we can have the right mindset to play how we want to play."
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) October 20, 2017
Whatever happened on the Alabama football practice field this week, outside the media viewing sessions, apparently Saban got his team focused today. Anyone reading that in Knoxville will not find such news comforting.
Saban said he believed “offensive pass interference should be called more.” He also added,
Nick Saban was on the rules committee while at LSU.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 20, 2017
"Obviously I made a good impression. Been here 11 years and haven't been invited back."
Saban’s birthday is next week but with the bye week, there will be no ‘Hey Coach’ show next week. So early birthday celebrations were in order Thursday night.
What do you think Nick Saban wished for, for his birthday? 🤔😂 pic.twitter.com/mITuLRoLoO
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) October 20, 2017
After the birthday wishes, as this week’s host Tom Roberts closed the show, he made a request to Saban. A suddenly, fully focused Nick Saban was quick to comply.
Host Tom Roberts: "Now go beat UT."
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) October 20, 2017
Nick Saban (smiling): "We will."
(About as close as you'll get to Nick guaranteeing a win)
The old line, ‘no brag, just fact’ comes to mind.
Next: Ten Reasons Vols Hatred Runs Deep
The Tide and the Vols for the 100th time this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Recently competitive or not, this is southern football’s deepest and finest rivalry. Time for another Alabama football beat down.