The thing that motivates me is, we gotta figure out a way to do it even better, and get to where I...

The thing that motivates me is, we gotta figure out a way to do it even better, and get to where I want and not apologize about it. I want to take this program even higher, get that second national title, the third for the school.

I've talked about making Michigan State the best job in America and now I'm gonna walk my talk and try to make it the best. (Former MSU and current Alabama football coach) Nick Saban said something interesting to me during this thing: 'You know, sometimes instead of trying to go to another job, take the job you have and make it better.'

Tom Izzo has a much more constructive conversation with Bob Wojnowski than the one he had with Lynn Henning

almost 2 years ago KJ@theonlycolors 6 comments 0 recs |

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Really Nick?

Gee Mr. Saban, you mean like you could have done with Michigan State?

Here are the highlights from your tenure:

First 10 win season in over 40 years (and only second in school history – although technically you left before the 10th win). 2-3 against UM and PSU, 2-1 against OSU, 3-0 against Notre Dame. 5 straight bowl games.

So yes, after the debacle of Perles’ final years (including an 0-11 1994 due to the use of ineligible players), you did improve the football program at MSU. You turned it from a 4 door Chevy Cavalier into a Corvette. Then you gave the keys to that Corvette to a 15 year old with a learners permit and unsurprisingly, he crashed the vette into a tree.

Your greed set our program back at least 7 years. Your successors(up until Dantonio) turned a somewhat respectable program into a laughing stock.

So, while I agree with the sentiment you expressed to Coach Izzo, it does sound kind of ironic coming from your mouth.

by MSULaxer27 on Jun 25, 2010 9:24 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs

3 straight bowls

1995 (Independence), 1996 (Sun), 1997 (Aloha). 1998 (no bowl, despite beating #1 OSU on the road).

by Ducking Delvon on Jun 25, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the correction.

I typed this out hastily on gut reaction. I was in school from 1997-2000, so I should have remembered not going to a bowl game following the 1998 season, but I think in my memory it is over shadowed by Coach Izzo’s first Big Ten championship that spring.

by MSULaxer27 on Jun 25, 2010 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, that's pretty rich.

PP-TPW.
The Only Colors

by LVS on Jun 25, 2010 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

And much as we love Tom Izzo, seriously, coach?

People said at the time that 9-11 meant the end of irony. That turned out not to be true, but I don’t know if it can survive this quote from Nick Saban. Someone get the crash cart and organize a telethon of young, white comedians.

I think Izzo’s love for being part of the fraternity of coaches, which I’ve seen written about several times, sometimes seems to blind him, or he feels the need to pretend so in public. I remember him making sorta vague pro-Kelvin Sampson statements at the time. I wonder if Izzo shares the view of some Spartan fans that McPherson and the admin at the time didn’t show Saban enough love and/or money?

Izzo: Yeah, I feel comfortable. That’s the good thing when you’re able to check it out completely. I have no seller’s remorse or buyer’s remorse. I really don’t. I think (former coach Jud Heathcote) has a great line for it — make more money, got more problems.

I think that was Biggy Smalls, coach, but a lot of people make that mistake.

Good interview and plenty to warm green and white hearts therein.

by witless chum on Jun 25, 2010 9:59 AM CDT reply actions