There's little debate about who the greatest college football coach of all time is. It's none other than former Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama head coach Nick Saban, but as is often the case, failure to launch came before the rise to glory.
Not many know that Saban was once an ***** istant under former Ohio State head coach, the late, great Earle Bruce, from 1980-81. Saban started his coaching career as a graduate ***** istant for his alma mater, Kent State, in 1973 and was promoted to the linebackers coach in 1975. He also had stops as an ***** istant at Syracuse and West Virginia before Bruce hired him as a defensive backs coach in 1980. Amazingly enough, Saban was hired to replace another famous coach, Pete Carroll, on the Buckeye staff.
However, Saban's time with a scarlet and gray wardrobe was short-lived. He was fired after a 31-28 Ohio State win against Navy in the 1981 Liberty Bowl as part of a housecleaning of some of the defensive staff because of a reported disagreement in philosophy.
While appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, right out of the gate, McAfee -- with former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk sitting in tow -- asked Saban if he was ever fired, and Saban was quick to point out his time in Columbus.
"Yeah, I talked to you about that. I got fired when I was a defensive backs coach at Ohio State," Saban said.
#assistant #bruce
Not many know that Saban was once an ***** istant under former Ohio State head coach, the late, great Earle Bruce, from 1980-81. Saban started his coaching career as a graduate ***** istant for his alma mater, Kent State, in 1973 and was promoted to the linebackers coach in 1975. He also had stops as an ***** istant at Syracuse and West Virginia before Bruce hired him as a defensive backs coach in 1980. Amazingly enough, Saban was hired to replace another famous coach, Pete Carroll, on the Buckeye staff.
However, Saban's time with a scarlet and gray wardrobe was short-lived. He was fired after a 31-28 Ohio State win against Navy in the 1981 Liberty Bowl as part of a housecleaning of some of the defensive staff because of a reported disagreement in philosophy.
While appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, right out of the gate, McAfee -- with former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk sitting in tow -- asked Saban if he was ever fired, and Saban was quick to point out his time in Columbus.
"Yeah, I talked to you about that. I got fired when I was a defensive backs coach at Ohio State," Saban said.
#assistant #bruce
2 months ago
