In the official game program for the Dollar General Bowl between Toledo and Appalachian State, a history page listed 26 of the Rockets’ 27 all-time coaches.
The one name missing could only lead to one conclusion: The person responsible for the error is an Auburn fan.
If it might be understandable to overlook, say, Walt Hobt (1919-1920) or Boni Petcoff (1926-29); it is a little less so to forget the greatest college football coach of all time.
Yes, the greatest.
That’s what Nick Saban is after Alabama stunned Georgia in Monday night’s national title game.
Remember back three years ago, when we debated whether Urban Meyer or Saban was the best active coach? How quaint does that question sound today? Meyer is still great, yes, but Saban — who got his head coaching start at Toledo in 1990 — just secured his place as the greatest of them all, matching Bear Bryant with his sixth national championship.
Honestly, he was the G.O.A.T. before Monday’s game. Bryant did his master work in a time without restrictions on scholarships — he handed out more than 50 free rides per year — and less parity. Saban has done his in an era more cutthroat and competitive as ever, the rising tide of television money lifting boats everywhere.
But his coaching job Monday confirmed it. Who else would have had the nerve to pull a second-year quarterback who was 25-2 as a starter for a true freshman who had not taken a meaningful snap all season ... at halftime of the biggest game of the year? With Saban, it was just so crazy it worked, Tua Tagovailoa giving the Tide just the spark they needed. It almost always does.
You might note Alabama has the best players in the country at his disposal, but Ohio State works with pretty much the same ingredients. Only Saban and his monomaniacal process so consistently produce five-star results.
Think about this: Saban now has more national titles than the other active head coaches combined. Meyer has three. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher each have one.
From Toledo to the top, remember the name. You’ll never see anyone like Saban again.
Contact David Briggs at dbriggs@theblade.com, 419-724-6084, or on Twitter @DBriggsBlade.
First Published January 10, 2018, 3:00 p.m.
