Nick Saban once tried to recruit Kentucky coach Mark Stoops to play for him. (SEC Photo)
Just how good is Alabama coach Nick Saban?
“The job he’s done for so many years is absolutely one of the best, if not the best, to ever coach the game,” said Kentucky coach Mark Stoops Monday.
Kentucky plays at No. 1 Alabama (6-0) Saturday at noon looking for a signature win to salvage what has been a disappointing season.
Stoops knows Saban, who tried to recruit him to play at Michigan State when he was in high school, and the work ethic and consistency he has.
“He has been around a long time and he does a remarkable job. The man is really like a machine, he goes at it each and every day. He is very consistent in his work and that is evident with the way they recruit and the way they play each and every year,” Stoops said.
“I have great admiration for what he does. You would be silly as a football coach not to look at some of the things he does and listen to him and see his approach and not try to grab a few things. You have to be yourself, you have to be authentic, but you are also stupid if you don’t look at some things. People like him and the success he has, if you don’t try to grab and learn from people like that, you are not very bright.
“We are all going to do things our own way and you have to be yourself and be authentic but again, you would be pretty stupid not to look at some of the things he does and try to pick up a few things here and there.”
One thing Stoops says Saban does well is “reload” his roster every year and this season the offense has impressed Stoops even more than usual.
“They are an extremely good football team. Offensively, maybe as good an offensive team as I’ve seen since I’ve been a head coach and a coordinator,” Stoops said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone as explosive as they are offensively because they’re so balanced.
“They’re extremely physical when they want to be and create unbelievable big plays with the talent and receivers they have. (Quarterback) Mac (Jones) is playing at an extremely high level. Very, very dangerous.”
What about the Alabama defense?
“Defensively, they are always good. They’ve had a few games that were a little bit rough for them for their standards early but they’re putting it together. They do a remarkable job defensively, always have,” Stoops said.
