Michigan statement

Sporting News, The, Dec 4, 1995 by Terry Frei

Saban's first 20-player freshman recruiting class includes nine linemen, where the Spartans need the most help.

Over the next few months, Saban learns that an alarming number of Spartans are having academic problems. He also discovers the conditioning program has fallen off in the seven years since he left Perles' staff. Only 11 players remain from the 1994 recruiting class.

"George gave me a great opportunity professionally in 1983," Saban says. "We took over a 2-9 situation and in five years built it to a Top 10 team, a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl victory. I think George did an outstanding job. What has happened since that time, I really don't know. I wasn't here, but we certainly don't have the quality of players."

Saban meets with every holdover scholarship player. As the new staff establishes its authority, there are some grumbles, but the players gradually come around. "He kind of shocked us because the strength and conditioning programs were so intense," says Tony Banks, the holdover quarterback. "A lot of us weren't in very good shape. We were a lot bigger. Guys were rebelling, talking about transferring, about not playing. But then we started seeing a difference in the way we looked. A lot of the linemen dropped a lot of weight."

The Sabans commission a builder to construct their dream home. For now, they are living in the home offered to them by MSU faculty member Jim Cash -- a screenwriter who co-wrote "Top Gun." Cash's mother-in-law usually lives in the home, but she visits Florida in the winter.

Mindful of the post-NFL-season family routine, young Kristen Saban keeps asking: "Daddy, when are we going to see Mickey and Minnie?"

Nick has to say there will be no Disney vacation for the Sabans this spring.

February 21

Saban strays out of cautious character when he is introduced at a Michigan State-Michigan basketball game, saying on the public-address system that the Spartans need the help of the home crowd in the second half "to kick Michigan's ass."

March 25

The Spartans are on the practice field for the first time under Saban. Fans at the Saturday open practice try to spot the new head coach. He is wearing khaki pants and a green windbreaker, and during the stretching and calisthenics, he is nondescript.

"The little guy."

"Without the hat."

"Yeah, he's not a big man."

By 15 minutes into practice, Saban is actively coaching the defensive backs. At times, he clearly is sending messages, such as this pronouncement to fullback Robert Dozier about trash talking: "I don't want to have that -- out here, understand?' Then Saban turns to the sideline and makes sure the defensive backs have gotten his message. "Understand?" he yells.

April

At the end of practice, Saban makes a soft-spoken speech to the players about how much more they have to accomplish in the remainder of spring practice. Dozier makes a point of approaching Saban, then walks toward the locker room with his new coach. Dozier explains himself. Saban quietly listens, then says it is all right, no big deal, don't worry. Just don't let it happen again. As spring practice winds down, Jim Cash's mother-in-law returns from Florida. The Sabans move into an apartment near campus. But Saban still isn't around much. He is involved in early spring recruiting and meets -- or reacquaints himself -- with Midwest high school coaches, the men who can send him the players he needs to do what he has to do.