Nick Saban is no ordinary football coach. He’s a titan, a mastermind, and a ruthless perfectionist who built dynasties through sheer willpower and an unshakable obsession with excellence. Some call him the greatest of all time; others see him as a relentless taskmaster who never lets his foot off the gas. But one thing is certain—his players never forget what it’s like to play under his iron rule.
Former LSU quarterback Matt Mauck knows this firsthand. His career was saved by Saban after an unsuccessful stint in Major League Baseball, but even after Mauck helped LSU secure a national championship, Saban proved there was no such thing as “time off” under his watch.
Nick Saban’s Unyielding Work Ethic Stuns Former LSU Quarterback
For those who believe Nick Saban’s legacy is only about Alabama, think again. Before his 17-year reign in Tuscaloosa, Saban orchestrated a masterclass at LSU from 2000 to 2004, leading the Tigers to a national championship before testing the waters of the NFL. His short-lived tenure with the Miami Dolphins wasn’t his finest hour, but his return to college football in 2007 changed the game forever. The six-time national champion molded Alabama into a powerhouse, but his relentless coaching philosophy never wavered.
Matt Mauck, who led LSU to its first national title since 1958, recently shared a jaw-dropping story that captures the essence of Saban’s never-ending pursuit of greatness.
“We had just won the national championship game,” Mauck recalled. “I’m in the locker room cutting the tape off my ankles, ready to celebrate, when the equipment guy taps me on the shoulder and says, ‘Hey, Coach Saban wants to see you.’”
At that moment, you’d think Saban was calling him in for a celebratory speech or a heartfelt moment of reflection. Not even close.
Mauck walked into Saban’s office, expecting a brief conversation. Instead, he found the coach already halfway undressed, pulling off his shoes, eyes locked in with that trademark intensity. “He looks at me and goes, ‘I need to know what you’re doing next year.’”
Just like that. No celebrations, no pats on the back—straight back to business.
The Championship That Wasn’t Enough for Saban
To fully understand why Saban was already looking ahead to the next season, let’s rewind to that unforgettable game.
The 2003 BCS National Championship pitted LSU against an Oklahoma Sooners squad led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jason White. It was a slugfest, a battle of defenses, and Saban’s Tigers emerged victorious with a 21-14 win. LSU had reached the mountaintop for the first time in decades, and the players expected to bask in the moment.
But for Saban? The work was just beginning.
Mauck, who had been recruited by Saban at Michigan State before eventually reuniting with him at LSU, thought he might finally get a breather. After all, Saban had taken a chance on him when he walked away from baseball, offering him a second shot at a football career. But the championship game only reinforced what Mauck already knew—Saban is never satisfied.
The following season, without Mauck, LSU finished 9-3, missing out on a chance to repeat as champions. Shortly after, Saban made his jump to the NFL, a move that would soon become one of his biggest regrets.
Nick Saban’s Biggest Career Regret? Leaving LSU
Saban’s transition to the NFL was anything but smooth. His rigid, all-consuming coaching style clashed with the league’s structure, and his tenure with the Miami Dolphins ended in frustration. Players bristled under his strict methods, and the NFL’s transactional nature left him feeling disconnected from the developmental process he loved in college football.
Years later, during an interview with former NFL star Ryan Clark on The Pivot Podcast, Saban admitted that leaving LSU may have been the wrong move.
“Not because we didn’t have success in Miami—I enjoyed coaching there,” Saban explained. “But I found out in that experience that I like coaching in college better. You get to develop players personally, academically, and athletically in a way you can’t in pro football.”
The realization changed everything. When Alabama came calling in 2007, Saban seized the opportunity and never looked back. What followed was an era of dominance: six national championships, over 200 victories, and an indelible mark on college football history.
Love Him or Hate Him—Saban’s Legacy Is Untouchable
Nick Saban’s intensity has drawn both admiration and criticism, but his results speak for themselves. His former players—whether they feared him, respected him, or both—know one thing: he demanded greatness, and in return, he built legends.
Matt Mauck’s story isn’t unique. It’s just another chapter in the book of Saban, a man who never stops thinking about the next play, the next game, the next championship.
He might have been tough to play for, but one thing’s for sure—no one who played under Saban ever left without knowing what it takes to be great.
