HOOVER, Ala. — When Nick Saban is involved, there is rarely a dull moment -- no matter how hard he tries to provide one.
That was obvious when the -- judging by the reaction of local fans -- legendary Alabama football coach made his appearance at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.
Actually there were a few moments of relative boredom, especially when Saban took the podium in the main media room, handing out a few bouquets to the retired Steve Spurrier before undertaking 30 minutes of a question and answer session that would put all but the most ardent Tide fan to sleep.
But that proved the exception to the sights and sounds of the rest of the day.
From the adulating fans shadowing his every move, to the honest questioning -- and heated exchange that followed -- on live television, it was anything but a bland day in Hoover, Ala.
Say what you want about Nick Saban, but his presence is enough to turn the ordinary upside down.
Things certainly got a bit out of shape when he moved from the at-large media interaction to the set of the SEC Network, broadcasting from the Wynfrey Hotel. It was there that co-host and SEC Television personality Paul Finebaum did what no one in the room of 200-300 gathered media members would: ask him a semi-tough question.
After broaching the status of Alabama players Cam Robinson and Laurence Jones -- who were arrested in May in Monroe, La., and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and illegal possession of a stolen firearm; charges that were subsequently dropped for insufficient evidence -- Saban and Finebaum began a heated exchange that wound up the talk of the afternoon in Hoover.
Following the revelation that the duo in question would only receive internal discipline rather than game(s) suspension, Finebaum made the a somewhat obvious suggestion that it might look bad -- at which point Saban responded that he didn't care to respond to any critics.
Each point bore its own merit
With the Tide set to open 2016 against Southern Cal, there will be some -- charges dropped or not -- adding this to the list of incidents that have sullied the SEC's reputation, another example of win-at-all-costs.
It is also fair, however, that Saban, having full working knowledge of the details of the case, feels no need to justify his actions to the public.
What was more interesting was the fact that no one in the at-large question-and-answer session -- of which I confess I attended -- mooted the point beforehand. To be fair it was asked later in a smaller gathering (just before Saban took to the SEC TV set). But it was surprising that the query took some time to surface when other coaches in Hoover took a verbal grilling over similar issues -- ask Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen. And even the ones that weren't ask pointed questions were quizzed over social issues, even Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason.
Saban is an undoubted master at controlling every finite detail within his football program -- it is his essence and a big reason why he may go down as the greatest coach of all time.
And his unbridled success has turned him into a true celebrity -- more than that judging by the adoration of many fans on Wednesday.
Yet it is an aura that also means he perhaps escapes the type of treatment that other coaches endure -- as happened Wednesday morning. Not to say he receives preferential treatment, rather more deferential.
Even then, however, there is rarely a dull moment.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/7/422431/opinion-aura-of-saban-makes-big-impression-in-multiple-ways