The 47-year-old Saban came to Michigan State following four seasons as the Cleveland Browns� defensive coordinator from 1991-94. The Browns went from allowing the most points in the NFL prior to Saban�s arrival to allowing the fewest points in �94. His defensive unit allowed a league-low 21 touchdowns and 204 points in �94�the sixth-fewest points surrendered in NFL history.
Saban previously served as head coach at the University of Toledo where he guided the Rockets to a 9-2 record overall in 1990, including a share of the Mid-American Conference title at 7-1. The Rockets ranked among the NCAA leaders in both total defense (12th at 284.8 yards) and scoring defense (16th at 16.2 points). In his rookie season as a head coach, Toledo missed posting an undefeated record by only five points.
He began his first stint in the NFL with the Houston Oilers as the secondary coach from 1988-89. The Oilers ranked among the AFC leaders in interceptions in both �88 (tied for second with 22) and �89 (fourth with 21).
As secondary coach and defensive coordinator, Saban played an integral part in helping Michigan State to three postseason bowl appearances from 1983-87, including the Big Ten championship in �87 and a 20-17 triumph over Southern California in the �88 Rose Bowl. The Spartans led the nation in rushing defense in �87, allowing only 61.2 yards per game, and ranked second in scoring defense, permitting 12.4 points. During his first stop at Michigan State, Saban tutored three NFL first-round draft picks in Carl Banks, Anthony Bell and Percy Snow.
His college coaching credits also include stops at the U.S. Naval Academy (1982), Ohio State (1980-81), West Virginia (1978- 79), Syracuse (1977) and Kent State (1975-76). While coaching the secondary at Ohio State, he helped produce four NFL draft choices.
He began his coaching career in 1973 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater Kent State. A defensive back for the Golden Flashes from 1970-72, Saban played in the �72 Tangerine Bowl against Tampa. He also picked up two letters as a shortstop on the Kent State baseball team.
A native of Fairmont, W.Va., Saban earned his bachelor's degree in business from Kent State in �73 and his master�s in sports administration in �75.
He and his wife, Terry, have two children, Nicholas (12) and Kristen (8).
An avid golfer, Saban was paired with Tiger Woods in the 1997 Buick Open Pro-Am in Grand Blanc, Mich.
Career Record
Overall Conference
School Year W L T Pct. W L T Pct. Finish Bowl
Toledo 1990 9 2 0 .818 7 1 0 .875 t-1st
Michigan State 1995 6 5 1 .542 4 3 1 .563 5th Independence
Michigan State 1996 6 6 0 .500 5 3 0 .625 t-5th Sun
Michigan State 1997 7 5 0 .583 4 4 0 .500 t-6th Aloha
Michigan State 1998 6 6 0 .500 4 4 0 .500 6th
LSU 2000 8 4 0 .667 5 3 0 .625 t-1st Peach
LSU 2001 10 3 0 .769 6 3 0 .666 Champs Sugar
LSU 2002 8 5 0 .615 5 3 0 .625 t-1st Cotton
Totals 69 38 1 .585 45 26 1 .615
Nick's Career
2000- Head Coach, LSU
1995-99 Head Coach, Michigan State
1991-94 Defensive Coordinator, Cleveland Browns
1990 Head Coach, Toledo
1988-89 Secondary Coach, Houston Oilers
1983-87 Secondary Coach/Def. Coor., MSU
1982 Secondary Coach, U.S. Naval Academy
1980-81 Secondary Coach, Ohio State
1978-79 Secondary Coach, West Virginia
1977 Outside LBers Coach, Syracuse
1975-76 Linebackers Coach, Kent State
1973-74 Graduate Asst. Coach, Kent State
Record Breakdown
All Games (through '99): 43-26-1 (.614)
THE FOLLOWING ARE RECORDS ENTERING THE 1999 SEASON:
Home Games: 22-9 (.709)
Road Games: 12-15-1 (.446)
August Games: 1-1 (.500)
September Games: 11-5-1 (.676)
October Games: 13-7 (.650)
November Games: 9-8 (.529)
December Games: 0-3 (.000)
Games decided by a TD or less: 9-10-1 (.475)
Games decided by a FG or less: 2-6-1 (.278)
Nick's Record VS: (before 1999)
Opponent W L T
Arkansas State 1 0 0
Ball State 1 0 0
Boston College 1 0 0
Bowling Green 1 0 0
Central Michigan 1 1 0
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Colorado State 0 1 0
Eastern Michigan 2 0 0
Illinois 4 0 0
Indiana 4 0 0
Iowa 0 2 0
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Kent 1 0 0
Louisiana State 0 1 0
Louisville 1 1 0
Memphis 1 0 0
Miami-Ohio 1 0 0
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Michigan 1 3 0
Minnesota 3 1 0
Navy 0 1 0
Nebraska 0 2 0
Northern Illinois 1 0 0
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Northwestern 1 1 0
Notre Dame 2 0 0
Ohio 1 0 0
Ohio State 1 1 0
Oregon 0 1 0
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Penn State 1 3 0
Purdue 1 2 1
Stanford 0 1 0
Washington 0 1 0
Western Michigan 2 0 0
Wisconsin 1 1 0
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Five years 34 24 1
Nick waxing philosophical on...
. . . Attitude
�So much of what you do is related to attitude. There are three things I demand from players that don�t take any ability. First, give 100-percent effort every play. Second, be mentally as well as physically tough. And third, know what you�re supposed to do on every play so we can have good team defense and team offense. If everyone takes care of what they are supposed to do, the team has a chance to be successful. None of those things take one bit of talent or ability. It�s attitude, effort and intelligence. The only prerequisite for those things is physical conditioning. We must have a well-conditioned team to have good intangibles on our team.�
. . . Academics
�My feeling is that getting an education is the single thing that our players can accomplish that will have the most significant effect on the quality of their lives. We must get our players committed to a standard of excellence academically that will give them the opportunity to develop a career outside of athletics.�
. . . Recruiting
�We want to recruit quality young men with character and a burning desire to be the very best. We want them to represent themselves, their family, this football program and our University in a manner which brings pride and spirit to our alumni and fans everywhere.�
. . . Winning Football/Team Play
�Playing winning football requires an attitude of togetherness. To develop a team concept requires a willingness to give up your own selfish values for those of the team. It�s more important to be a part of the team than to be personally indispensable. Once you establish this, the team can take on a personality of its own � a winning personality.�
. . . Success
�Success is an attitude that starts with knowing what you want to accomplish. Hard work, persistence and confidence are all integral parts of being successful. We intend to develop the best attitude in our student-athletes so they can have the best chance to succeed in life in any endeavor they may choose when they graduate.�