Okay, so I was scrolling through Instagram the other day, and what do I see? A picture of Nick Saban, but not just any picture. This was a picture of him… with a beard! I nearly choked on my coffee, I tell ya. I’m used to seeing him all clean-shaven on the sidelines, you know? Always looking sharp and in control. But this? This was a whole new Nick Saban. NWO Nick Saban, as the internet calls him.
I mean, the guy’s a legend. Six national championships with Alabama, one with LSU. You’d think he’d be pretty set in his ways, right? So, seeing him with a beard, it got me thinking. What brought this on? I read somewhere that players are entering the transfer portal, they’ve had some struggles on the field, and he’s no longer at the helm, but is that really it?
I dove a little deeper. Found this quote from Nick himself about the passion behind football in the Southeast. He even said that winning the SEC championship is often tougher than the national title. Makes you think, right? The pressure, the expectations… it’s gotta be immense. And he’s not getting any younger. I saw he sleeps for only about six hours a day. Maybe the beard is a sign of him just… letting go a little? Embracing a more relaxed version of himself?
- Started by seeing a picture of Nick Saban with a beard on Instagram.
- Got curious about the reason behind the change.
- Read about his comments on the SEC and the pressure he faces.
- Wondered if the beard is a symbol of relaxation or a change in his life.
Then there’s that quote floating around, “Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people.” It’s a tough one. You can’t be at the top for that long without having some strong opinions and a certain way of doing things. And I guess it works for him, I saw Hugh Freeze talking about competing against him, that’s some respect right there.
Did you know that Nick Saban’s kids are adopted? I stumbled upon that little tidbit too. It’s funny how much you can learn when you start digging into someone’s life, even if it’s just because of a beard.
So, I decided to try growing a beard myself. It’s not exactly Nick Saban level yet, but it’s a start. I set a picture of him as my phone wallpaper for inspiration. I went to the store, picked up some beard oil, and started my own little beard journey. I’m not gonna lie, the first few days were itchy as hell. But I persevered, and now, I gotta say, I kinda like it. I wake up every morning, look in the mirror, and think, “What would Nick Saban do?” It’s become my daily mantra, haha.
I even started tracking my sleep. Aiming for those six hours that Saban gets, although some days I barely hit four, you know how life gets. I tried to follow the 70-hour work week, too, but man, that’s tough! I have a new found respect for the coaches.
Anyway, this whole Nick Saban beard thing turned into a bit of a personal experiment. It’s not just about the beard anymore. It’s about pushing myself, trying new things, and maybe, just maybe, finding a little bit of that Nick Saban winning spirit within myself. Who knew a little facial hair could lead to all this, huh?
My Beard Journey Inspired by Nick:
- Phase 1: The Itch – Resisted the urge to shave.
- Phase 2: The Awkward Stage – Looked like a scruffy mess.
- Phase 3: The Grooming – Invested in beard oil and a comb.
- Phase 4: The Acceptance – Started to like the look.
- Phase 5: The Inspiration – Using Saban’s work ethic as motivation.
It’s still a work in progress, just like my beard, but I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. Maybe I’ll even coach a football team someday! Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but hey, a guy can dream, right?
