Nick Saban may not boast the best collection of physical talent in the Southeastern Conference. Alabama is lacking at linebacker and wide receiver, and Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa was less prosperous than his first year at LSU.
But Saban is still attempting to make his players the strongest in a different aspect — their minds. He employed The Pacific Institute, an organization that describes itself as “culture transformation experts” and works to improve lives through educational seminars, to teach 12 classes to Tide players.
The organization’s impact is far-reaching. When Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll decided he wanted to help quell gang violence in Los Angeles, for instance, he called Pacific Institute chairman Lou Tice.
Saban’s inability to succeed in the SEC West at Alabama, of course, is far less consequential than gang problems. But the goal is the same: create change from within. Develop an attitude of success. Topics in the classes included “self-actualization” and “mental conditioning.”
“I think, through the years, players have changed dramatically, and there’s a lot of different personalities at play now,” Saban said. “I think your ability to motivate, reach and affect these personalities — but not let their personalities be divisive to the team chemistry — is a key to being successful.”
A concentration in sports psychology during graduate school helped shape Saban’s interest in the human mind. He prefers books by Rick Pitino and Pat Riley, and just finished “Slaying the Dragon” by sprinter Michael Johnson.
His team, to borrow from The Pacific Institute’s philosophy, needed to make changes on its road to success. A season dotted with suspensions and alleged attitude problems was only the prelude to a forgettable offseason. Former linebacker Jimmy Johns, most notably, was arrested on felony drug charges and allegedly sold cocaine just outside the Alabama football complex.
“We’ve had meetings. We’ve done different things,” Alabama center Antoine Caldwell said. “We realize how important it is that we have an image and a reputation we’re trying to uphold for this team and this university. My heart goes out to Jimmy and what happened and his family, but you’ve got to make good decisions.”
More talent will ultimately help Alabama ascend in the SEC West. Saban is working to rectify that issue as well, signing an impressive recruiting class last February.
It’s the combination of those two aspects — physical and mental — that Saban said helps build a championship organization. The members of his latest recruiting class aren’t just physically blessed. They haven’t developed habits under a different coach. They’re only used to Saban.
“Our philosophy has always been, we’re there to help people make good choices and decisions about what they do, and we invest our time and energy in programs that help them do it,” Saban said. “We changed a lot of habits. I’m not saying they were bad habits, just the way you want things done.”
His way, of course.
“I definitely think guys know what Coach Saban wants, more this year than last,” Alabama safety Rashad Johnson said. “Now, we know what he wants, and when it’s time to meet, he’ll say something and everyone will start laughing sometimes. There’s more of a comfort level there.”
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