At the end of last Thursday's press conference Coach Saban, unbidden, launched into a mini-tirade against unauthorized biographies in general and the idea of an unauthorized biography of him specifically. Although he never mentioned the offending tome by name, it was clear that he was reacting to the publication of Saban: The Making of a Coach by Monte Burke.
Having read the book I can see why he might be upset, but only because when we hear things about ourselves we tend to focus on the negative. Burke didn't write a hagiography. Nor did he write a hit piece.
What emerged from his research is the story of a complex, extraordinarily driven man as seen through the eyes of those who have known and worked with him. That there is not unanimity of opinion amongst those he interviewed should surprise no one. It would be eyebrow-raising if there were.
The book is enjoyable, informative, and Burke writes well. It's a page-turning read I recommend for any fan, not just of the Crimson Tide, but of college football. (Full disclosure: while the author and I do not know each other beyond passing, my wife and I do count his brother as one of our oldest and most valued friends. That friendship has no bearing on my opinion of the book.)
Monte was kind enough to take time to answer a few questions for us:
