Michigan statement

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

During the week, Saban says he is enjoying his return to college football -- and MSU -- almost as much as anticipated. Here, you try and instill a positive attitude, get them some goals and objectives," he says. "Most pro guys, regardless of what the motivation is, you don't have to instill that. They might want to do it for the wrong reason, but they still want to do it If they don't? You find another player. Here, you have to develop the player you have, all the way around -- physically, mentally, emotionally. But I think that's the fun of college coaching."

Perles, still living in the Lansing area, calls his own news conference and announces he has dropped his lawsuit against MSU, one he filed because the university is dragging its feet on finalizing a settlement on his contract. The speculation: MSU is stalling because after Saban took the job, the news broke that the NCAA is investigating the football program for more than 60 possible violations during the Perles tenure. If the NCAA imposes sanctions, then MSU could try to say that Perles -- who is being paid in the interim -- isn't owed another dime.

Could the NCAA investigation hurt the Saban program? "I think it could," Saban says. "I don't know how to say this without..." He pauses. "I don't really know of anything (against NCAA rules) of a significant nature that had happened here. Of course, I wasn't here for part of the time, and I know there's nothing that has happened since I have been here. ... The only thing I feel bad about is if there's some ment for the university and the program now, it's not really justified for the people who are here now, who would be punished."

On Friday, Saban slips into his seat next to the podium at the Downtown Coaches Club meeting at 12:15 p.m. -- or just moments before the program situ. Downtown Coaches President Gary Thomas, a retired fireman and a Saban fan, says Saban "is so businesslike. From week to week, I don't even know if he's going to make it here. He's got the most disciplined schedule I've ever seen. Some guys are hour to hour; he's minute to minute."

The room at an East Lansing restaurant is packed: 239 paying customers, at $11 a head for lunch and a raffle ticket. When Ike Reese, the linebacker, nervously accepts his defensive player of the week plaque and mentions that the Spartans have "another good game plan" for Minnesota, Saban leans over, smiles and says something to Reese. In his turn at the microphone, Saban says: "It's very encouraging to me that Ike has approved the game plan for the week." The audience laughs. "Better get laughs now," Saban says, looking at Reese, because when we watch the film on Monday, I'll either approve or disapprove of the execution of that game plan."

On Saturday, the Spartans trail Minnesota, 31-21, after three quarters, but rally. Banks returns to the lineup, throwing for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Saban has to caution his players not to look ahead to bowl possibilities. I guess the attitude of the players has progressed to the point where we really believe we can win," Saban says. "I don't think we had that kind of character as a team earlier in the year."