In a revealing 2019 interview, Terry Saban, the matriarch behind arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, offered a poignant glimpse into the formative influences that shaped her husband, Nick Saban. With a reflective tone, she discussed the pivotal role played by Nick Saban Sr., affectionately known as “Big Nick,” in molding the man who would become a coaching legend. Her simple yet profound statement, “I think he had something to do with that,” spoken with knowing conviction, underscored the undeniable, almost mystical connection between father and son, and the deep, lasting impact of Big Nick’s father on his son’s life and career.
Terry Saban, often the quiet strength beside her intensely focused husband, rarely grants interviews that delve so personally into Nick’s past. When she does, her insights are invaluable, offering a window into the private world of a man who, for decades, operated with an almost robotic precision in the public eye. Her words confirm what many have long speculated: the foundational principles that guided Nick Saban’s unparalleled success were not merely learned in coaching clinics or strategic meetings, but were deeply ingrained during his upbringing under the watchful, demanding, yet loving eye of his father.
Nick Saban Sr. was a figure of immense presence in the small, coal-mining town of Monongah, West Virginia. He was a stern, disciplined man who owned a gas station and a local Pop Warner football team, the Monongah Miners. “Big Nick” was known for his uncompromising work ethic, his insistence on doing things the right way, and his belief in accountability – values that would become the cornerstones of his son’s coaching philosophy, famously known as “The Process.”
Terry’s reflection suggests that Big Nick wasn’t just a father; he was the first and perhaps most influential coach in Nick Saban’s life. “I believe that he was involved in that,” she stated, referring to the meticulous, disciplined, and relentless pursuit of excellence that defined Nick’s coaching career. This “involvement” wasn’t just about teaching football fundamentals; it was about instilling a mindset, a moral code, and an approach to life that transcended the game.
Big Nick ran his gas station and his football team with the same exacting standards. He demanded punctuality, effort, and precision. Nick Saban himself has often recounted stories of working at his father’s station, learning the value of hard work and the importance of every detail, no matter how small. He learned about customer service, about managing inventory, and about the consequence of sloppiness. These seemingly mundane tasks laid the groundwork for the meticulous organizational skills and attention to detail that would characterize his football programs at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, Miami Dolphins, and ultimately, Alabama.
The Monongah Miners, Big Nick’s Pop Warner team, was more than just a local pastime; it was a microcosm of his philosophy. He coached with a fierce intensity, pushing his young players to their limits, emphasizing fundamentals, and demanding selfless teamwork. Nick Saban played for his father, experiencing firsthand the power of that demanding yet ultimately rewarding coaching style. It was here, on the dusty fields of West Virginia, that Nick learned the ethos of accountability: that every player has a role, that every effort matters, and that collective success hinges on individual commitment to a shared standard. Terry’s comment, “I think he had something to do with that,” speaks to the direct transmission of these values from father to son. Big Nick didn’t just teach football plays; he taught life lessons that manifested profoundly in Nick’s coaching.
The impact of Big Nick’s personality and principles on his son extended beyond just professional habits. Terry Saban’s words hint at the profound psychological and emotional shaping that occurred. Nick Saban often speaks of the fear of failure, a drive that propelled him to constantly strive for perfection. This trait can be traced back to his father’s high expectations and the desire to live up to them. Big Nick’s uncompromising nature instilled in his son a relentless pursuit of improvement, an inherent distrust of complacency, and an insatiable hunger for mastery.
The concept of “The Process,” which became synonymous with Nick Saban’s coaching dynasty at Alabama, is fundamentally an extension of Big Nick’s principles. “The Process” is about focusing on the present moment, doing your job to the best of your ability, and controlling what you can control, rather than fixating on outcomes. It’s about fundamental excellence, attention to detail, and a consistent, disciplined approach to daily tasks. These are not abstract theories; they are the lived experiences of a young Nick Saban working at his father’s gas station and playing on his father’s football team. Terry Saban’s observation underlines that the philosophical bedrock of “The Process” was laid decades ago in Monongah, under Big Nick’s direct “involvement.”
Furthermore, Big Nick’s passing at a relatively young age (53, when Nick was 23) left an undeniable void. It forced Nick to mature quickly and take on responsibilities, solidifying the self-reliance and disciplined nature that would later define him. Terry’s understanding of this dynamic speaks to her deep awareness of her husband’s internal landscape. The impact of a strong, influential father, followed by his untimely absence, often shapes a person’s drive and determination in profound ways. Nick Saban has occasionally mentioned that he always felt a desire to make his father proud, a powerful underlying motivation that perhaps fueled his relentless pursuit of excellence.
In her concise yet potent statement, Terry Saban provided the missing piece for many who sought to understand the origins of Nick Saban’s legendary coaching persona. “I think he had something to do with that. I believe that he was involved in that.” These aren’t just casual observations; they are the insights of someone who intimately knows the man behind the championships, who witnessed his private struggles and understood the deep-seated motivations that drove him. Her words serve as a powerful tribute to Nick Saban Sr., acknowledging that the seed of a dynasty was planted not in a grand stadium, but in a small West Virginia town, nurtured by the unwavering hand of a father whose legacy lives on, vividly and undeniably, through the monumental achievements of his son.
