Getty Image / Wesley Hitt
Nick Saban is obviously one of, if not the greatest, college football coaches of all-time. The Alabama head coach has won seven national titles, more than any coach in history, and could definitely add to that number in the next few years.
He’s coached so many players who went on to fantastic NFL careers who have Saban to thank. Current NFL stars like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jaylen Waddle, Jalen Hurts, and many others played for Nick Saban at Alabama.
One guy he’s coach who hasn’t yet made his mark in the NFL, but many expect him to soon do so, is Detroit Lions first round draft pick, running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs projects to be a huge factor for the Detroit Lions offense as a guy built in the Alvin Kamara mold. That’s to be expected when a team takes a running back as high as he went, 12th overall.
But, he’s finding the NFL a breeze so far, thanks to really tough practices at Alabama run by Nick Saban. Here is Pro Football Talk with more details.
Gibbs was asked to compare an NFL practice with the practices Nick Saban ran at Alabama, and Gibbs said in the NFL the coaches are just trying to help you get better. Saban was trying to drive them to the brink.
“Saban, we’re probably hitting every day. Full pads, in the heat for two hours. Here, we get good work in, but they don’t try to kill us. He did,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs is not the first former Alabama player to opine that practice is easier in the NFL. Saban is known for running a grueling strength and conditioning program and full-contact practices.
That’s quite the compliment to the way Alabama and Nick Saban practice.