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Get Scouted Scouting CareersRecruiting can be a challenging road for a lot of college coaches. However, Nick Saban‘s recruiting methods help him keep the Crimson Tide on top.
University of Alabama’s Head Football Coach is one of the greatest recruiters in the Southeastern Conference. Some would argue he’s the best in college football.
But like all college coaches, Saban’s recruiting methods have experienced their fair share of challenges. Throughout his career as a college football coach, Saban has dealt with many rule changes that affected his style of recruiting. Also, he regularly deals with losing players to the NFL Draft.
The Saban Rule
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges that Saban has faced was the NCAA football rule changes in 2008. The rule changes restrict head coaches from evaluating recruits on the road, during the spring evaluation period. Also, it limits coaches from “checking up,” on players with their teachers, coaches, and counselors. This rule is best known as the “Saban Rule,” because it was made with his recruiting methods in mind.
Urban Meyer and Pete Carroll were also not thrilled about the change. The reason for the dislike? College Coaches want to assess every aspect of their prospective student-athletes. If they can’t talk with people who know the athlete, it’s harder to get to know that athlete and their family.
“I think it’s ridiculous that we’re doing what we’re doing,” Saban said. “When you’re talking about developing relationships and knowing players and meeting guidance counselors and talking to principals and all those kind of things, I think we’ve put ourselves at a tremendous disadvantage in terms of evaluation.
“I think we’ve really limited ourselves by what we’ve done, and I totally disagree with it.”
New Recruiting Restrictions
As Saban always says, what makes him a great coach is his players. But this rule and some more recent rules, create obstacles for coaches to learn about their prospects.
The most recent recruiting rule changes include an early signing period in December, limitations on coaching camps and clinics for college coaches, plus an additional time frame for official visits.
And just like everyone would expect, Saban isn’t excited about these changes and the challenges they bring to recruiting.
“I’m not for changing the recruiting calendar,” Saban said. “[I] hate to see early signing date become the signing date. Coming to visit during the season is very difficult.
“Official visits to me are about building relationships. When we have a game, there’s no opportunity to do that.”
The additional official visit period starts April 1 of a player’s junior year, and it ends the Sunday before the last Wednesday in June.
Saban’s Two Key Words in Recruiting
“The two most compelling words in the draft – ‘and’ and ‘but,’” Saban said. “…and he’s a captain, and a great teammate and got his degree.”
As opposed to, “…but he failed a drug test, but he got into a bar fight, but he failed classes,” Saban said. “which one do you want on your team?”
The two words “and,” and “but” are significant factors to consider in the draft, according to Saban. These words are compelling because he finds them important to his own recruiting.
Relationship building is an important piece to Saban’s recruiting. Even though there are stipulations that hinder his ability to get to know his prospects, he still gets the job done. That’s evident since the Crimson Tide has had one of the top 5 recruiting classes for the last decade.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.
One the best running backs in highschool, is located just north of tuscaloosa al in dora 2000 yds rushing this season with a pair of hands and room to grow w speed and agility. I wonder if scout from UA notice or took look n see. He comes out this spring to head off to play college fb somewhere. I hope its UA. Tide fan for life RTR