It really is amazing how the media drives public perception. Almost everyone I have ever met who hates CNS will say it's because they "don't like his personality," or it's because "he's a jerk." In reality, he is a jerk, but only to the media. It's a stereotype that is firmly planted in the minds of the public because it is the perception that the media pushes.
However, you rarely hear comments like that from his current and former players, or those who have worked with him. No doubt he is direct and demanding, but I don't get the feeling that his players dislike him at all. When you hear the comments his players make about him, see how they interact with him on the sideline, watch the videos like they filmed on his birthday, it seems like he is very well loved. I think coach is much more of a player's coach than people give him credit for.
Combine that with the work he has done in the Tuscaloosa community, plus his efforts after the Ttown tornadoes and the West Virginia floods, and it appears that coach is a real stand-up guy. When you look at the larger picture, It becomes obvious that the public perception of his personality are very misguided in a lot of ways. I'm just happy that those who follow the program get a glimpse of who he really is.
These will be the days that we tell our kids and grandkids about someday, just like my dad and granddad used to tell me about Coach Bryant. We are very blessed to get to enjoy Coach Saban's tenure here in Ttown. This is a great time to be a Bama fan.
RTR
