Alabama Football: Training Days, Episode Two

ESPN’s “Training Days: Rolling with the Tide” continues its deep dive into the Alabama football program, this time focusing on several key assistants and, of course, Kobe Bryant.

The second episode of Training Days is a perfect example of why Alabama football fandom could be the secret weapon to our nation’s defense.

What would you do if you saw several thousand of us running towards you with sharp objects in our hands?

My top quote of the entire episode came in its first minute. Cameras surveyed the sidewalks surrounding Bryant-Denny Stadium to find the annual consortium of diehards waiting to meet their favorite coach (let’s be honest, favorite human being) and players for the Tide’s annual Fan Day.

The question from ESPN to an especially intense gentleman, while completely inaudible, probably went something like this: “Why wait for so long to score a couple of autographs?”

The response?

"I mean, we’re knee-deep in a dynasty. What’d you think we was gonna do? Roll Tide."

The assistants are getting some love

I give ESPN every bit of credit because they’re getting the type of access that the numerous beat journalists for Alabama football have coveted since the team’s resurgence began right as Saban stepped off the plane in 2007.

Episode two dives headlong into practices 3-6, on top of a slew of off-field moments that continue to show the rest of the college football world that “Saban’s robots” are anything but.

What’s especially nice about the episode is that the documentary intentionally focuses its eye on the assistants, namely new Alabama football coordinators Mike Locksley (offensive) and Tosh Lupoi (defensive).

In it, we see both men coaching up their respective units in team meetings and on the field and it’s, honestly, a blast to watch.

Locksley, a well-traveled coach, is cool as a cucumber as he directs his men on the finer points of ball security and getting it right the first time. His rapport with the players seems almost fatherly. He won’t go paint-peeling scream like his boss, but the players will know when Coach Locks wants to be heard.

Lupoi, on the other hand, is the encapsulation of trying to catch lightning with a hug.

Dude is all energy and, while he’s been spending the offseason learning more than just the front end of the defense, Saban’s trust in the relatively young coach should remind Alabama football fans of the same trust he put into Kirby Smart.

Kobe!

Of course, the most discussed aspect of episode two will most likely be the acquisition of the “Black Mamba” himself, Kobe Bryant, as guest speaker.

Saban’s always done a great job of finding top-shelf motivational speakers, former NFL coaches and players, etc. but getting Bryant is the coup to end all coups.

While most will have their opinion about Bryant’s standing as one of the NBA greats, there is no doubt that the Tide players were heavily impacted by his presence. And he didn’t disappoint either.

The way he talked to the team, it was almost as if Saban helped him write the speech beforehand. It contained all the hallmarks of what Saban preaches. In fact, during a one-on-one session with Saban and Bryant, Kobe spoke favorably about “the process” of being a great player.

No one needs to doubt or be cynical enough to believe that Bryant’s invitation wasn’t for the team’s benefit, but if anyone believes that ESPN’s cameras and Kobe’s presence was a mere coincidence, then whoo boy.

Saban knows that the clock is ticking and that coaching staffs are getting younger. More importantly, he knows that they’re all using his age to detract blue-chip recruits from going to Tuscaloosa.

While he’s a 5-time NBA champ, future first-ballot Hall of Famer and 18-time All-star, it turns out Kobe Bryant is also a very useful recruiting tool.

Stray Notes

• After watching him chew out the entire team at the end of practice, I’m convinced Isaiah Buggs is the vocal leader of this team.
• It was nice to see Alabama football Head Trainer Jeff Allen get some love for the incredible job he’s done with the players. Watching him run into a cold bath when he probably didn’t need it was particularly fun.
• Happy Belated Birthday, Jalen!!!!
• Josh Casher has a damn good voice!
• Who here thought of The West Wing when Saban was getting notes from his media guy before going out in front of the press?
• Major congrats to Deionte Thompson on graduation! The scene afterward with the team made my heart full.