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Chat Reel: Nick Saban

LSU coach looking forward to first season on the bayou

New LSU head coach Nick Saban is looking forward to the unqiue challenges of coaching on the bayou. Tom Pidgeon/Allsport

LSU coach Nick Saban chatted with CNNSI.com users on August 17, 2000. A transcript of his chat follows:

CNNSI Host: Welcome to our college football chat with LSU coach Nick Saban. Welcome Coach!
Nick Saban: Thanks.

From Ryan P. Mason in Baton Rouge, La.: What is your timetable for naming a starter at the quarterback position?
Nick Saban: Really what were trying to do, or what we are most interested in doing, is get as many players ready to play winning football as we can. The quarterback position is not that different.

Rohan Davey has not had that many opportunities because he missed spring practice. So you know, we need to let him compete for the position with the other quarterbacks. So therefore, it makes it a little more difficult to be specific about what the timetable should be.

From geaux195: Which player stood out in the scrimmage the most last night?
Nick Saban: I think we probably had several players. Offensively, Josh Reed had several big plays as an offensive receiver; I think he had four catches for 100 yards. Reggie Robinson had six catches and Toefield LeBrandon had 40 yards rushing and he was the most consistent runner. Both quarterbacks--Craig Nall did not scrimmage because he had a hamstring injury--and Josh Booty and Rohan Davey both played well at quarterback. Defensively Trev Falk played well from his linebacker position. Kendrick Allen and Jarvis Green were both productive from their defensive end positions, and Freddie Booker had a big play -- an interception-- that he ran back for a touchdown.

From Geaux_Saban: Do you expect the SEC to be tougher than the Big Ten, or do you think the split divisions will make it a tiny bit easier?
Nick Saban: I think both leagues are probably similar and the top 5 teams in each league. But I actually think that with 8 teams in the SEC going to Bowl games the past two years, that this league may be more difficult from top to bottom.

From Trey: Coach are you excited about your first game in Tiger Stadium and what do you expect?
Nick Saban: Well I am--you know, I am excited to be at LSU--we are excited about the passion and support we have here. Our purpose is to make LSU a special place and Tiger stadium a special place to play. And we are trying to make this a football team that people can gain respect for by the way they play for 60 minutes in a game.

From Dode in New Orleans, La.: Coach, how do you like this wonderful South Louisiana HUMIDITY ????
Nick Saban: Well it's humid and it's hot and I think I like the weather here. I do think that climate is something that you have to manage relative to two-a-day practices and workload on players because of the heat and humidity.

From Trey Smith in San Antonio, Texas: Coach Saban, At MSU you had to compete with Michigan to sign instate recruits. At LSU you are the king of the state. Have you noticed a difference in the recruiting game? Thanks coach and geaux Tigers!!!
Nick Saban: I think that we need to show that we have a program that has a positive image, that players can see themselves being successful as people, students and football players, and for a Louisiana person this is the absolutely best place to launch a career from in terms of future opportunities. And if we can do those things, Louisiana State, LSU, should be a good place for Louisiana football players to go to school.

From duffy: Do you anticipate scheduling any non-conference with BIG TEN schools in the future?
Nick Saban: I think that philosophically it would be good for us to schedule a couple of national rivalry games one each year. Maybe with Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Texas, So Cal--maybe some kind of game that could generate national attention for our program here, and that may or may not include a big 10 opponent.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Coach Saban. Thanks for being with us and good luck this season.
Nick Saban: Thank you.

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