Nick Saban was so focused on football that he continued to work hard during the infamous Sept. 11 attacks, according to a new book.
“The Price: What It Takes to Win in College Football’s Era of Chaos,” written by Armen Keteiian and Jon Talty and due for release Aug. 27, depicts Saban in his first season as LSU’s coach and preparing for next Saturday’s game against SEC rival Auburn.
There was reportedly some confusion when the secretary told the coaches that the first plane had hit the World Trade Center, but the coaches continued with their preparations.
When a second plane revealed that a terrorist attack was underway, Saban still remained in step.
“You guys, some guys are messed up out there,” he said, according to the book. “Now, what do we do when we go into Cover Two against these routes?”
LSU practiced as scheduled, coach Saban never mentioned the terrorist attacks to his team, and some Tigers players were reportedly “completely unaware of what was going on across the country.”
Saban later apologized to the newspaper for “being in tune with reality” as the attacks were unfolding.
Current Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was the defensive backs coach under Saban at Louisiana State in 2004.
In 2007, he was hired in the same position under Coach Saban at Alabama, also holding the title of assistant head coach.
When the new staff gathered in Tuscaloosa, Smart reportedly told the group the response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as an example of the focus they should work on.
“This guy’s always thinking about football,” Smart, who was promoted to defensive coordinator on Saban’s staff a year later, told them, according to the book. “When he’s in the office, he’s not thinking about anything else.”
The game against Auburn was ultimately canceled.
“It was probably the best decision not to play.” Saban said afterward:in 2021. “It’s probably good for the players and for everybody to have a chance to deal with their emotions.”
Saban retired this offseason after a legendary coaching career that included winning seven national championships and is now a member of ESPN’s “College GameDay.”
