Last time I wrote, I addressed the host of names of possible replacements for Mack Brown. Since that time, it appears as though the focus has shifted to one name with another name as an outside candidate. Those names are as big as any in college football. Since 2000 the two names being mentioned have been among the best coaches in college football, winning five BCS titles and one AP title and directing four Heisman Trophy winners. And even though they have been among the biggest names in the coaching world for over a decade, both of them continue to be at the top of their profession. Those names: Pete Carroll and Nick Saban.
Background
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Looking at their careers, Carroll and Saban have extensive backgrounds on the defensive side of the ball. This is no surprise considering how strong each of their defenses has always been at each stop. It also is not surprising when you look at some of the coaches that the two of them have learned under. Carroll learned his craft under names like Lou Holtz (Arkansas), Earle Bruce (Iowa State/Ohio State), Monte Kiffin (NC State), Bud Grant (Minnesota) and George Seifert (San Francisco). Saban learned his craft by Don James (Kent State), Bruce (Ohio State), Jerry Glanville (Houston) and Bill Belicheck (Cleveland). The most interesting aspect is that Saban actually replaced Carroll on Bruce’s staff at Ohio State. Their path’s nearly crossed 33 years ago and now here they are again, possibly going toe to toe for the most prestigious job in all of college football. And it’s amazing at how similar the two are. Each has a background on defense, specifically in the defensive backfield dating back to their playing days. The pair was each good enough at their craft at the collegiate level to earn jobs in the NFL. Carroll was able to make it to the highest-level four years earlier than Saban, but Saban parlayed his success into a head-coaching gig four years previous to Carroll.
Although Saban had spent one season at Toledo in 1990, it was not until 1995 that he began the path to becoming arguably the greatest head coach in college history. His start at Michigan State did not begin under pomp and circumstance. He actually inherited a program facing NCAA sanctions and promptly went 25-21-1 over his first four seasons, far from the start you would expect from the monster that he is now. A 9-2 mark in his fifth season propelled him to the LSU job and began his ascent into the history books.
Carroll’s entrance into the college world began with questions. His hire in 2001 by USC’s athletic director Mike Garrett followed declines by Dennis Erickson, Mike Bellotti and Mike Riley before the search moved to Carroll. Sometimes it takes a little bit of luck to hit the jackpot and the Trojans caught lightning in a bottle with Carroll.
Part II will analyze the runs that each coach made to turn themselves into two of the preeminent coaches of their era. Stay tuned…
