This story appears in the new book from The Tuscaloosa News, “Nick Saban: 15 Epic Seasons That Changed Alabama Football Forever.” The limited-edition 160-page book, which tells the story of Saban’s life, meteoric coaching rise and includes a foreword from Paul Finebaum, can be purchased for $39.95 at SabanBook.com.
Eli Gold walked into Nick Saban’s office needing to record the video.
Gold, the radio voice of Alabama football, once again was set to serve as emcee for Bama Blast, a pep rally for freshmen at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Coaches for other Alabama programs showed up with a couple players to speak to incoming students, but the Crimson Tide’s football coach had traditionally only recorded a video that played on the stadium’s big screen.
“When do you want to record this thing?” asked Gold, who will miss the start of the 2022 season due to health issues.
Saban looked puzzled.
“Why would I want to record it?” Saban replied.
“Well, that’s the way it’s always been done,” Gold said.
Then Gold learned a lesson he hasn’t forgotten in Saban’s 15 seasons in Tuscaloosa: You don’t use that phrase – the way it’s always been done.
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Saban told Gold he intended to attend in person but needed to know the time.
“3 p.m.,” Gold said.
“I will be there at 3:01,” Saban replied.
On the day of the event, freshmen were filing in. No sign of Saban at 2:59 p.m. Gold decided to start the program.
Then at 3:01, Saban walked out of the…
