Nobody prepares college football players for the NFL Nick Saban. On Monday, Miami Dolphins quarter Tua Tagovailoa explains what makes his former coach so special in that area.
Tagovailoa played for Saban from 2017 to 2019, and he has been the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback for the last two seasons. He joined ESPN’s Greeny ‘on Monday, explaining what it’s like to play for the legendary Alabama coach.
In a response that may surprise some people, Tagovailoa said the Alabama head coach was not always as intense as he appeared on Saturday. When the team is on the field – in practice or in the match – he expects his players to play at the highest level. Yet it is clear that he cares a lot about his players.
“I think I can play for someone like Saban, it gives you two sides,” Tagovailoa said. ‘It gives you someone who is very difficult for you. Someone who expects the best from you. Then the other side where you find someone who cares a lot. Very loving to his players. This is who coach Saban was. On the field he was very hard. He expected the best from his players. He expected the best from you. ‘
Away from the field, Saban, according to Tagovailoa, is a little less intimidating. The young Dolphins signalman believes he played for Saban, helped learn what attitude is appropriate for different situations in the NFL.
‘From the field he knew how to turn it off. It was as if he was no longer a coach, ‘said Tagovailoa. ‘He’s just someone who wanted to be there to help his guys in whatever way he could. I think someone helped me like that in the NFL because you’re dealing with guys with different personalities. You’re dealing with guys who are ‘hoo-rah’ guys who like to get in your ass. You also deal with guys where they have to help get the best out of them. I think that’s how he helped me. ”
Tagovailoa’s successor in Tuscaloosa, Mac Jones, also has a lot of praise for Saban. Jones was recently asked about Saban as the best head coach in the history of college football. Joens does not have to answer for long.
“Come on, man. Of course he is (laughs),” Jones said. “How can he not be? He does it the right way. He recruits well, but more importantly, develops great players and young men. I am just so blessed that he gave me the chance to come here with all my teammates. “I would not trade it for anything. He is the greatest to ever do it. He will be the greatest for a long time to come.”