How Did Alabama Beat Clemson? In A Word – Leadership

This is not a post about any leadership deficiencies of Head Coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers.  In fact, Coach Swinney is one of the greatest leaders you can find.  I have nothing but the highest respect for the Clemson program.
This is a post about the superlative leadership culture which exists in the Alabama Crimson Tide program.  The following insights were gleaned from Sports Illustrated writer Andy Staples in the January 18th edition following the team’s fourth national championship victory in seven years.  The following are just some of what makes the culture of the Crimson Tide so unique:
Head Coach Nick Saban – Let’s start at the top.
Coach Saban spent time last April with new 40-year-old Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman.  Herman was the offensive coordinator of the Ohio State Buckeyes who had just defeated the Crimson Tide in last year’s national semi-final.
Herman said, “Here’s this guy at what would seemingly be the top of the mountain and he’s always looking for ways to get better.”  Unlike his public persona, Saban is one of the most curious coaches in college football.  The following are some of the things he was hoping to learn as he made a priority of scheduling time with Herman:

•  What younger leaders are thinking.
• How to better pace practices.
• How to create more realistic match ups during practice.
• Situational football.
• What schematic changes are now necessary with the changing landscape of college football.

For more on Coach Saban click 15 Leadership Skills Necessary To Build A Sustainable Organization.
Assistant Coaches 
Alabama employs the traditional nine assistant coaches.  However, they also have five strength coaches and three mental fitness coaches.  This is evidence the administration of the University itself is committed to making a financial investment in coaching.  Quick question – how much do you financially invest in coaching?
Regarding the quality of the team’s coaches, longtime defensive coordinator Kirby Smart was just named head coach of the University of Georgia.  The team’s offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was considered a cancer by most after his dismissal from USC.  But Saban knew something we all did not and took a chance on him.  He is now one of the greatest offensive minds in college football.
Special teams, under the direction of  Special Teams Coordinator Bobby Williams, was the difference in the game.  Strength and Conditioning Coach Scott Cochran said of Coach Saban, “He pushed all his chips in” regarding Adam Griffith’s onside kick recovered by Marlon Humphrey.  And of course, Kenyon Drake returned a 2nd-half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
The Quarterback 
The quarterback is always an extension of the coach on the field.  After temporarily losing his starting job early in the year, Jake Coker returned in the 2nd half of the September 19th game against Ole Miss and did not lose a game the remainder of the season.  Sensing Coker’s anger on being temporarily demoted, Kiffin said, “We don’t expect you (Coker) to agree with this decision.  If you agree with it, you’re not competitive.  We expect you to go prove it wrong.”  To the delight of the Alabama faithful, Coker proved Kiffin wrong.
The Players
Saban teaches his players a concept known as The Illusion Of Choice.  While there may seem to be many choices, there are only a few which actually lead to success.  What made this Alabama team so unique was the strong locker room presence.  In essence, this team was self-policed.  Specific players mentioned as team leaders were the following:

• Senior linebacker Reggie Ragland
• Senior center Ryan Kelly
• Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry
• Offensive tackle Cam Robinson
• All-American defensive ends A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed

Leadership Consultants
The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they think.  Regarding the team’s legendary “Process”, Saban said, “When I first started this, I probably had the same approach with everybody and thought everybody should buy into that approach.  Now it’s more individual and what makes it happen for him, because success is always tied to action, but action is always tied to your thoughts.”
The following are the three Mental Fitness Coaches previously mentioned above:

• Mental expert Lionel Rosen is a Michigan State psychiatry professor who first introduced Saban to the “Process” when Saban coached the Spartans in the late 90’s.
• Trevor Moawad specializes in mental training and leadership.
• Kevin Elko specializes in motivation.

Leadership Unity And Alignment 
When strong leaders are in place and unified it provides your organization a gift known as Alignment.  Alignment allows you to make strategic adjustments.
****Please note – You can only make strategic adjustments AFTER you have leadership UNITY and ALIGNMENT.  You CANNOT successfully make strategic adjustments without UNITY and ALIGNMENT.***
Some of the changes the 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide made were:

• Moving to a no-huddle.
• Increased offensive tempo which included jet sweeps.
• More nickel defense to combat spread offenses.
• Instead of the standard two cornerbacks and two safeties (both who would normally weigh over 200 lbs), they got smaller and quicker by playing five cornerbacks.

Administration – Head Coach – Assistant Coach – Quarterback – Players – Consultants all Unified and Aligned.  If you get this organizational structure right you will have a chance to be a championship organization as well.

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