Saban: The Making of a Coach

It was bought for my special needs daughter,who loves Alabama football.

WOW! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. I try to keep up to date with articles about Alabama football and Coach Saban, and Burke was able to uncover a lot of details that I did not know prior to reading this book. I can understand why Saban is upset about this book because he likes to control his public image and there are multiple instances that can be perceived as non-flattering that he would not have included. However, this, to me, is what made this book so special. It humanized Nick Saban and it provided a well researched chronicle of various decisions and close calls with taking other jobs, his coaching philosophy, what has made him into the person that he is today and details about specific marquee games that he's been involved in that provide more context than just a final score. Burke also highlights the many good things that Saban has done for his players and the university and overall provides a very balanced view on what he has done at various stops along his journey as a coach. You have a chance to see all that makes him tick and hear about him from a variety of different people and is eye opening and a must have addition to any Crimson Tide fan's library as well as anyone who is a rabid college football fan.One of his former players says in the book that when people approach him, they don't ask him about the championships or specific games, the first question is "what is it like to be around and play for Coach Saban?" This book provides a thorough answer to all those who love him, hate him, or don't understand him. Coach Saban is a transformational figure in the history of college football, and in my view, this biography is the most complete picture of his life and his impact on football and the University of Alabama. Very well written and a great overall book!

Like bc it gives good leadership advice about life and many things. I know Coach it successful bc he is now at Ala. and has many successes. He talks a lot about past coaching jobs before ending up where he is presently.

THIS is a definitive biography on Nick Saban which covers his life from an early age through the 2014 season. Very insightful and well written with no discernible bias by the author. Saban is a complicated man with an over-riding theme of still trying to prove to his late football coach father, Big Nick, that he can finish 'the process". His leaving so many jobs is an important thing to know the 'whys' of BUT he has done a tremendous job at each university stop in vastly improving the football program into one that the athletes are encouraged to graduate, treated with respect. Did that at Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama - the last with big-time results in making huge improvements overall in the program. One has to respect that. I've read the bios of some coaches who have interested me - Bear Bryant, Urban Meyer, Steve Spurrier and have learned a lot. Nick is Spurrier without the sense of humor! I am not an Alabama fan - just a fan of outstanding college coaches.

Superb book. Saban came out yesterday declaring he is opposed to unauthorized biographies. For such a polarizing figure, you would never want to read an authorized biography. You are even less likely to get the truth. Burke has done his work on this one. The sheer number of people he has interviewed is a testament to his dedication to the subject. You get the sense that he really wanted to get it right. This is not a shoot from the hip account that is slapped together, but a carefully researched work of investigative journalism. Fans and detractors will both find things to love and hate in this work and that's a good thing. Nobody is perfect, even Saban, and you get a real look at how complicated he is as a person.This book is going to get some heat, as it has already brought Saban to the press mics. There are already trolling reviews coming up, but I would say get the book and decide for yourself. It is thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thought the author decided to make his own judgement regarding the coach's motivation without giving the reader a chance to form his own opinion. Excellent historical facts but also think that the author, like most people just can't understand that hyper successful people are driven by multiple complex thoughts. Just don't believe that it's ever one or 2 simple beliefs. But, still enjoyed the book and do recommend it.

As I said Nick Saban is the college games version of Bill Belichick. Love them or hate them the Crimson Tide and New England Patriots are impressive how they continuously have success and are always close to the top. It should come as no surprise that both these coaches learn from the same system while they were both coaches with the Dallas Cowboys. You wonder how they do it and this book gives you a little bit of a look behind the curtain. Even if you are not a fan give this book read and see what makes a successful program tick,

This is a real book by an author, if each of us wanted a great author to write our life story would ask for. He worked on it for a very long time, talked to hundreds of people to give a full and objective very well written and complete account of an extremely hard working and eminently successful football coach.Men are late maturers finally making it at 25 years of age so all of the 18 to 24s that coaches work with have some growing up to do.A brilliant subject, with the author to do him justice. Here is the complete picture. Unbelieveably hard working coach with the same effort being made by his biographer. An outstanding book.

Good book, interesting topic, learnt a lot of information.Book arrived on time and in good condition.

This gave me a much better understanding not only of the complexities of the U.S. College football system, but the complexities of this highly successful individual. I would consider it a 'must read' for any 'Bama fan. ROLL TIDE!

Sehr gutes Buch, kann ich nur empfehlen!

Super fast shipping awesome

Every college football fan should read this book, no matter if you like or dislike Nick Saban