Better Coach: Malzahn or Saban?

[Deltamud77]

Based on what we know currently, who is the better coach and why?

[eSJay]

gus is clearly the better coach - duh. he's like a foot & a half taller than nick and can see more of the field.

[skywalker]

Really?

[merlebo05]

I personally think Malzahn and Sumlin are both better coaches

[skywalker]

When Malzahn and Sumlin win multiple championships and add in another title at another school, then the talk can begin. This thread explains why we are not AD's for a university.

[Deltamud77]

When Malzahn and Sumlin win multiple championships and add in another title at another school, then the talk can begin. This thread explains why we are not AD's for a university.

While I tend to agree with you, when Saban came to LSU, no one would have assumed him to be a better coach than Spurrier or even Phil Fulmer at the time. Turns out - he was by several exponents.

I think that it is a valid question if you look at what Gus has accomplished and what he has done a in a very short period of time. He effectively coached them to a national title with Cam Newton. He left and the program plummeted. He came back and in one year got them in the title game. Whether it be factual or not, many think that Auburn is better than Bama this year as well. It could be argued that Gus has surpassed Saban in two years. I am not saying that to be a fact, but there is certainly an argument to be had that Gus is the better coach.

Edit: I will go on record as an LSU fan that if I had to choose which coach to have for the next 10 years, it would be Gus because (1) he is younger and presumably has more left in the tank; and (2) he seems to be more adaptable.

[SWAG]

I think this is a great topic and a very legitimate question. As the old saying goes....it is always about the Jimmy's and the Joe's, not the Xs and the Os. A lot of truth to that. Are you grading them as who is the best gameday coach, who is the best recruiter, or all aspects of being an SEC football coach???

Saban is a very detailed and organized guy. Structure is the name of the game with him. He not only works very hard at making sure his teams make very few mistakes, he also works very hard at making sure he removes even the possibility of mistakes. Those are two different things and he does them very well. Saban also knew before coming to Bama that the history and tradition of their football program was an asset that was not being utilized to the fullest extent. He won games and made sure everyone knew that the Bama football ship had been straightened and talented players need to look no further than Tuscaloosa. He...along with the tradition that has breathed new life into, makes him the best recruiter...bar none...he is it. Now while his coaching philosophy is to put the best Jimmy, John, and Joes on the field; play great defense; and minimize mistakes (a winning combination for sure)....he does underestimate or just not prepare as well for things when they do not go along with his script. Team chemistry means alot with Saban coached teams because I do not think he is a players type of coach. You have to have motivators and leaders among the players for his script to work and he certainly recruits for that.

Jury still not in yet on Gus as a recruiter. Odds are he will do well as he is gaining respect and admiration with his early success. He certainly can win some kids with his style of offense. Gus has an eye for weakness in other teams and is very good at creating mis-matches on the field to exploit a weakness. From a Xs and Os standpoint he is very very good. Better than Saban??? I think he probably is as far as creating plays and using players in ways to get an advantage. Gus has a long way to go to win the way Saban has over his career and it is getting tougher to do that with the playing field becoming more and more level it seems.

Summlin is alot like Gus...jury still out but he has shown he will find ways to win football games.

Why is Les not in this topic??? Because he mis-manages the clock sometimes or says some crazy things??? Les is a very good coach. His record speaks for itself. While he may not do it the way everyone thinks he should, he wins a lot of ballgames...period.

The SEC has some really great coaches overall. Got to remember that these guys are coaching in the hardest conference to play in and win. The top 10 of these should all have no problem getting a job somewhere else if ever need be. My opinion, as of right now, for what it is worth:
1. Saban
2. Les
3. Gus
4. Spurrier
5. Richt
6. Sumlin
7. Pinkel
8. Mullen
9. Stoops
10. Freeze
11. Jones
12. Bielema
13. Mason
14. Muschamp

[webbmaster]

All I know is SWAG should be a sports writer. Nice break down.

I also know for a fact that Gus eats his boogers.

[Deltamud77]

Saban and Gus are both very detail oriented - I don't think we can say which one is more detail oriented at this point.

Saban is a master recruiter and has an eye for talent to fit what he wants to accomplish. Saban is marginal with marginal talent (see his first years at both LSU and Bama - years in which he lost to UAB and LA - Monroe respectively). Once Saban has the talent on the field, he is obviously as good as there has ever been.

Gus took an under-talented team to the BCS title last year. If you had switched teams with Gus and Saban, I would argue that there is no way that Saban gets Auburn to the title game last year, whereas I think Gus would have had a shot with Bama's talent (though Simms would have been the starter over AJ to fit the Gus system).

That said, recruiting is part of the game and you cannot take that away from Saban.

I think Advantage Saban in:
(1) Defensive preparation and play calling;
(2) Recruiting; and
(3) Marketing (he is very good at finding a camera on ESPN at year's end if Bama is done).

I think Advantage Gus in:
(1) Offensive preparation and play calling;
(2) Getting the most out of his talent - adjustment of system to talent.

Game day prep I think is probably a wash as is program management - i.e., discipline, professionalism, etc.

Gus is younger, so if you project forward, one could argue that Auburn is in a better position moving forward past the next 5 years.

[hillhunter]

It's hard to take much away from Saban, numbers don't lie and he has NCs at multiple schools which is more than any other active coach can say right now. Time will only tell on Gus and Sumlin. They are both very good offensive minds, but while like the old cliche goes, defense wins championships. Both seem to have Saban pretty rattled at this point and after watching WV kinda beat up on his D, I'm not sure he fixed much in the off season with respect to stopping a fast paced offense. If he can keep his running backs healthy and milk the clock to keep the other team off the field seems like his best bet right now. I still like their chances at the West, but I also like TAM and AU, in that order. Overall if UG can keep Gurley healthy, they may be the first East team to take home the SEC trophy in quite a while.

[skywalker]

No one can take away from Gus/Sumlin, but the same can be said for Saban. They are at different points in their careers, so its not a true apples to apples comparison. Saban has 'proven' he can build and maintain, Gus/Sumlin still need to do this. And keep in mind, NC's speak volumes, so let Gus/Sumlin get at least one and start grading from there.

[Deltamud77]

I think I need to clarify...I'm not asking historically who has had the best career. Obviously, Saban has the hardware and that is undeniable.

I am asking at this moment, who is better? I'm not asking is Verlander better than Clemens in a historical context...in am asking right now...as we sit here today, Verlander pounds Clemens (historically though, Clemens is better).

[the tree]

IMO, longivity is part of the discussion and Malzahn needs a few more years.

[duckter]

Based on what we know currently? Subjective perhaps? Is that like for last week? Month? Year?

All I know is you will tell your Grandchildren about a coach named Nick Saban. Bear Bryant should also be included in that conversation.

[mshunter77]

I still think for now Saban is the better coach. I don't think Sumlin is even in this conversation yet. Malzhan is a great coach and I knew a lot of people were going to regret not hiring him. Let's see how he does long term as a head coach. He had a lot of lucky plays last year that got them to the NC game. That being said I think Bama has at least 2 losses this season. Bama and LSU have been ravaged by the NFL and it is starting to catch up with both. Bama's corners are horrible once again this year and out one good one is not 100%.