Nick Saban, former Alabama head coach, startled the collegiate football world by announcing his retirement this summer. However, since then, we’ve learned some great undiscovered anecdotes about the coaching legend.
Damien Harris, a former Alabama standout running back, recently shared another amusing story. He spoke on the Until Saturday podcast in 2017 to discuss a matchup against Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt had recently trounced Kansas State 3-0 to start the season. Vanderbilt defensive lineman Nifae Lealao was interviewed following the big win, and he stated, “Alabama, you’re next.”
Harris claimed Saban arrived at the first meeting of the week, played that tape, and said nothing else.
"This is the ONLY game Coach Saban never said a word"
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“I kid you not, the first meeting that we had, Coach Saban just played that, and then we left,” Harris recalled. “We did not say anything. We just went outside to practice. Like this is the only game in which Coach Saban never mentioned anything before the game.”
The Crimson Tide’s motivational speech, or lack thereof, was effective. Alabama defeated Vanderbilt 59-0 in a dominating effort. Harris rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns against the Commodores. The Crimson Tide ended with 677 yards of total offense and held the Commodores to 78 yards.
Alabama finished 13-1 and won the national championship, while Vanderbilt went 5-7 and missed a bowl game.
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