In a way, the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers are mirror images of each other.
Strong running game. Nasty defense. Explosive kick returners.
But calling the shots on the sidelines, you could not find two coaches who do the same job so well, yet so differently.
They call Les Miles “The Mad Hatter” and for good reason. We’re all aware of Miles’ unique antics: the palm clap, the way he wears his hat so high on his head, and of course his strange affinity for Tiger Stadium grass.
But this year, Miles has been in rare form. Even before the season started, when starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson was arrested and subsequently suspended, Miles was firing off his signature quotes that you have to read two or three times to get.
“Jarrett Lee is our starter,” Miles said in a press release at the time. “Since the issue we’ve moved in a way to allow Jarrett Lee to spend a lot of time on field.” Come again, coach?
And while the trick plays – an LSU staple under Miles – have been at a minimum this season, it’s not for lack of on-field antics.
If you were in the student section for the Tide and Tigers’ first meeting this season you know what I’m talking about.
With more than an hour left until kickoff, Miles emerged from the visiting tunnel to survey the field before the game started – much like Saban does before each home game. Predictably, Miles was met with a smattering of boos, middle fingers and other things that we can’t publish.
His reaction? Miles stood tall and gave the Alabama faithful a hearty salute and walked off.
And that’s just Les. It’s also why his players love to play for him. His crazy antics and unpredictability on the biggest stage only fuel their desire to win.
Then you have Nick Saban.
The “Nicktator,” his critics call him.
Saban makes sure every aspect of the Alabama football program is under control, and he has the crimson machine running full speed ahead because of it.
On the field, Saban is as intense of a coach as you will ever see.
We all saw the video of Saban telling McCarron to “calm down” in Alabama’s game against Florida this year.
Saban demands perfection from all of his players and coaches, and he’ll let you know it.
And off the field, he’s almost as intense with the media as he is, with his players.
Saban is usually due for one good tirade a season, and this year I was the lucky soul who got to experience it.
When I asked him about conference expansion and possibly losing the UT rivalry, Saban launched into one of his trademark rants.
“I could give a [you-know-what] about all that,” he said. “I mean come on. Let’s talk about the game.”
But that’s just who Saban is, and it’s what makes him a great coach.
At a school like Alabama where expectations are high and winning a championship ever year is par for the course, it takes a strong-minded, fierce coach to do the job.
On Jan. 9, Saban and Miles will add another chapter to their coaching rivalry. It’s been pretty even so far, with Miles taking a slight 3-2 edge over Saban this year, but one thing we’ve come to expect is that it will be an entertaining game.
Because when you have two coaches who are the best at what they do with two polar opposite approaches to doing it, there’s bound to be a whole lot of excitement.
