I think that’s true, and that there is another subpart of this story. I think he would have kept going but for the unregulated chaos of NIL + transfer portal.
There is something very graceful about viewing a changed landscape and being honest that it’s “shit I don’t want to deal with” and moving on.
Saban optimized the 2010s operating model. Famously he had a large and well-oiled organization- I'm sure his coaching, recruiting, training, and analysis processes were outstanding.
The NIL era is going to require a different kind of organizational structure. To Ethan's point, I'd bet that a 55 year old Saban would set that up and flourish. At 70 year old Saban with a fistful of rings maybe didn't have the motivation to do it
Indeed, and the humility and *integrity* not to try.
One issue is self awareness as to whether he can build a successful (by his standards) program when almost every player is basically a free agent every year. One of the reasons why he left the Dolphins was a realization that his preferred system did not fit as well as he wanted in a circumstance where many of his most important players are multimillionaires he has little leverage over.
More important, to me, is his criticism of the current landscape. If you think the landscape is bad, and if you already have the legacy, wealth etc... to where you can disengage from it at minimum cost...why wouldn’t you retire? It seems like an easy choice. Why would you work hard to become good at things you think are bad? It doesn’t actually take a lot of integrity to make his choice. It speaks volumes that we prioritize holding on, status, etc... so much that there is something a bit jarring about what he did.
I see this as a strong and obvious contrast with Calipari, a half-generation younger but whose success in the one-and-done era seems to have slowed a bit in college basketball's new environment. There was a really interesting article within the past few months about how the 2015 loss to Wisconsin broke something in Cal, and he's lost the required ability to work like a madman and at the same time also lost all the loyal assistants and advisors who kept his worst impulses in check. Will he ultimately recognize the same off-ramp that Saban saw?
This makes me think of the hilarious Tim Dillon “boomers” rant on Rogan a few weeks ago. Wonder if Saban was listening /s.
Also kinda funny that Saban is being rumored to replace Lee Corso on College Gameday. Corso’s advanced age has clearly impacted his performance on television, where he’s basically been relegated to the show’s mascot. If you search “Corso” on Twitter on Saturday mornings in the fall, you’ll find hundreds of people begging Corso’s family to stop letting him on the air. He legit makes Joe Biden seem vivacious.
If George Washington's decision to step down, retreat to private life and not be a monarch is one of this nation's most important decisions, his farewell address is one of its most prophetic speeches. It supposedly gets recited annually in the Senate, but it sure doesn't seem to be heard by the Washington (D.C.) politicians. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/Washingtons_Farewell_Address.pdf
Refusing to lead a military coup of unpaid officers, resigning his commission, voluntarily not running for a third term, etc., but one that might be just as important but is rarely mentioned is having no biological children. Can’t have your sons try to take power or be propped up by other factions if you don’t have any.
Not quite the same job but Phil Jackson was around 70 when he became Knicks GM and that was a disaster, think he basically did it part time so that’s a good example there of not hiring someone at that point to run the show at that point in life, keeping them on as a consultant like the seahawks is probably the best way to do it
Well said, Ethan. I'm a father of two boys I had late in life. They're 15 and 11, and I'm 57. Staying fit and active is an important part of how I strive to be the father they deserve. I love your work and the thoughtfulness you put into it.
Don't jump the gun too much Ethan. For all we know, this could be a coordinated effort with Saban returning as defensive coordinator on Belichick's new team.
At least on the political side, I think the Gerontocracy can be explained by Gen X's lack of participation. Gen X, not Boomers, run tech companies. Thank Reagan, who taught us that politicians were a bunch of incompetent parasites and that there was real virtue in the private sector.
I think that’s true, and that there is another subpart of this story. I think he would have kept going but for the unregulated chaos of NIL + transfer portal.
There is something very graceful about viewing a changed landscape and being honest that it’s “shit I don’t want to deal with” and moving on.
Saban optimized the 2010s operating model. Famously he had a large and well-oiled organization- I'm sure his coaching, recruiting, training, and analysis processes were outstanding.
The NIL era is going to require a different kind of organizational structure. To Ethan's point, I'd bet that a 55 year old Saban would set that up and flourish. At 70 year old Saban with a fistful of rings maybe didn't have the motivation to do it
Indeed, and the humility and *integrity* not to try.
One issue is self awareness as to whether he can build a successful (by his standards) program when almost every player is basically a free agent every year. One of the reasons why he left the Dolphins was a realization that his preferred system did not fit as well as he wanted in a circumstance where many of his most important players are multimillionaires he has little leverage over.
More important, to me, is his criticism of the current landscape. If you think the landscape is bad, and if you already have the legacy, wealth etc... to where you can disengage from it at minimum cost...why wouldn’t you retire? It seems like an easy choice. Why would you work hard to become good at things you think are bad? It doesn’t actually take a lot of integrity to make his choice. It speaks volumes that we prioritize holding on, status, etc... so much that there is something a bit jarring about what he did.
I see this as a strong and obvious contrast with Calipari, a half-generation younger but whose success in the one-and-done era seems to have slowed a bit in college basketball's new environment. There was a really interesting article within the past few months about how the 2015 loss to Wisconsin broke something in Cal, and he's lost the required ability to work like a madman and at the same time also lost all the loyal assistants and advisors who kept his worst impulses in check. Will he ultimately recognize the same off-ramp that Saban saw?
Can u find the article? Or the source at least?
https://theathletic.com/5014110/2023/11/01/kentucky-basketball-john-calipari-3/
This makes me think of the hilarious Tim Dillon “boomers” rant on Rogan a few weeks ago. Wonder if Saban was listening /s.
Also kinda funny that Saban is being rumored to replace Lee Corso on College Gameday. Corso’s advanced age has clearly impacted his performance on television, where he’s basically been relegated to the show’s mascot. If you search “Corso” on Twitter on Saturday mornings in the fall, you’ll find hundreds of people begging Corso’s family to stop letting him on the air. He legit makes Joe Biden seem vivacious.
I’m somewhat worried that, like Bear Bryant and Paterno, if Corso retires he’ll drop dead within months.
If George Washington's decision to step down, retreat to private life and not be a monarch is one of this nation's most important decisions, his farewell address is one of its most prophetic speeches. It supposedly gets recited annually in the Senate, but it sure doesn't seem to be heard by the Washington (D.C.) politicians. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/Washingtons_Farewell_Address.pdf
Quite honestly, it should be required reading by every American. Arguably the best, and most important, speech in American history.
Refusing to lead a military coup of unpaid officers, resigning his commission, voluntarily not running for a third term, etc., but one that might be just as important but is rarely mentioned is having no biological children. Can’t have your sons try to take power or be propped up by other factions if you don’t have any.
Too busy being "The Father of our Country," I guess.
Ethan. No mention of Pop?
Honestly? One of those situations where I thought about it last night and then, when in the flow of writing, didn't return to the thought.
Thought it flowed better with all of the coaches referenced in the piece having been football coaches anyways.
Fair. To be clear, didnt mean it as a dig. Just a thought.
Ethan has mentioned his current issues before, thought he would mention as a bad case scenario
Is that a take about Pop or a take about millennials and zoomers? ;)
I was just about to say...nice tribute to Saban...but, what about Pop?
Not quite the same job but Phil Jackson was around 70 when he became Knicks GM and that was a disaster, think he basically did it part time so that’s a good example there of not hiring someone at that point to run the show at that point in life, keeping them on as a consultant like the seahawks is probably the best way to do it
Well said, Ethan. I'm a father of two boys I had late in life. They're 15 and 11, and I'm 57. Staying fit and active is an important part of how I strive to be the father they deserve. I love your work and the thoughtfulness you put into it.
Don't jump the gun too much Ethan. For all we know, this could be a coordinated effort with Saban returning as defensive coordinator on Belichick's new team.
Let's see if Saban is done with coaching.
At least on the political side, I think the Gerontocracy can be explained by Gen X's lack of participation. Gen X, not Boomers, run tech companies. Thank Reagan, who taught us that politicians were a bunch of incompetent parasites and that there was real virtue in the private sector.
I don’t think politicians have done much since then to refute that contention.