The Process; Saban's Formula For Life.

How Good Do You Want To Be?

Saban answers that question by delving into the study of human behavior, guided by his mentor in psychiatry, Dr. Lonnie Rosen. In their studies and personal time together, they developed a philosophy of winning based on the mentality (attitude) of winners Saban has coached and on his personal, first hand experience.

Bill Belichick repeatedly refers to Saban's intelligence as exceptional. An intelligence that extends well beyond football and translates into an effective management style and compelling personal lifestyle that has an irresistible effect on the people around him.

Saban is a winner. That doesn't mean that he has not experience failure. In fact, it is the failures that have taught him the most about winning. Failure teaches you that despite doing everything "according to the gospel" that you will encounter hardships that are unexpected.

Failure doesn't always come by doing things the wrong way. It may rear its ugly head despite near perfect execution. Other factors may play into the final outcome of a situation. A football game is a microcosm of life; a series of decision trees and personal choices.

Establishing core principles (fundamentals) will allow you to make more good choices which in turn gives you a better chance for success. Be committed to winning.

Success for Teams and Individuals

Adversity, effort, work ethic, perseverance and team work are essential ingredients for success of a team. Individuals must work hard to establish common principles and lifestyle choices in order to gel together as a unified team.

Unity is the missing element in many teams that are composed of quality individuals that simply do not perform well together. They have the talent but are dysfunctional as a team because the individuals have separate goals.

Following the principles of unity will not guarantee success. It will put a team in a position for high achievement within the framework of their goals and team identity. Know yourself and know that your goals are within reach.

Never be outworked by your opponent

There is no excuse for not being prepared. If you lose, it should not be due to a lack of preparation or endurance. Lose only when you opponent is simply more talented and just as prepared as you for the contest.

Being prepared sets the mind to the frame in which victory is expected when all other variables are even.

As a team, everyone accomplishes more than they can as an individual. Share a purpose.

Work to dominate you opponent. Be a champion.

Positively affect your teammates and accept personal responsibility.

Responsibility for self-determination leads to better decisions on and off the field.

The opponent should never determine your level of competitive spirit

Be prepared to overcome adversity. Resiliency allows a team (and an individual) to overcome adversity and errors in judgement. Despondency leads to accepting failure as an option. Failure in a single instance is acceptable but work through it and bounce back as the team (or individual) you most identify with; a champion.

Be in a position to control rather than be controlled by an opponent. Use your leverage to your advantage. Create opportunities by being responsible for who you are and knowing your capabilities. Put yourself in the situation that allows you to use your competitive advantage.

Don't look at the score until the game is over. Your competitive spirit should drive you to dominate your opponent as much as possible during a particular contest. Break down the game into segments and dominate (or just win) as many segments as possible while playing to your strengths.

Know the goal at the outset (being a champion) but don't focus on the goal, focus on the fundamentals that will allow you to achieve that goal. No one wins every segment of every contest (decision) every time. But the winner in the end usually has won the most segments and has been dominant for the majority of the contest.

Develop an ability to eliminate the clutter

Distractions can lead to death. If not death, failure. If not failure, expending resources and energy that could have been conserved for a more useful time and place.

Holiday distractions, personal relationships, outside requests, travel plans, and preparing for life after a season are examples of clutter. Minimize the clutter during the season.

Delegate the clutter to a trusted loved one or friend or just forget it altogether until your goal is achieved. Then deal with the clutter.

Keep the main thing the main thing!

The process is much more important than the result

Commitment to conviction, character and attitude allows a team (or individual) to achieve at the highest level. terms like tenacity, excellence, drive, pride, desire, courage poise, intensity and relentless are peppered throughout Saban's book. They set the tone for a winners mentality.

Future success comes by developing a good product, knowing the competition, and playing as a team.

Create a road map, create a culture of expectation and commit to the goal.

The Future for Alabama is Success

By now, I think you get the picture. Saban is no ordinary coach. He is certainly extraordinary and he is committed to being the best that he can be as a coach, husband, father, mentor and friend.

Does this mean he doesn't make mistakes? Certainly not, but he has a code and values that guide him back on course and help him re-focus and achieve his personal best.

As the first scrimmage of the 2010 year approaches, just know that this man is preparing our team for the season ahead. The team will respond and they will win. They will encounter adversity and they will overcome the conditions to produce a victory when others count them down and out.

Life is an incredible challenge. Having a coach like Nick Saban is a gift to each and every one of these Alabama football players. The gift certainly has a price but know that they are thankful recipients.

If you happen to get the chance to greet Coach Mal Moore, take the time to shake his hand and thank him for a job well done. We have much to look forward to as Alabama fans.

Alabama is back!