MORGANTOWN — The state of West Virginia has a rich history of college football, from successful teams to coaches to players. Some of the biggest names in the sport are from West Virginia. One of them happens to be regarded as the greatest coach of all time, Nick Saban, who grew up in Fairmont.
Saban’s won seven national championships, 11 SEC Championships and had a 292-71-1 coaching record in college. He’s an icon of the sport.
During his four decades coaching, he’s had numerous players, one of whom is the Mountaineers’ tight ends coach, Michael Nysewander. Nysewander played for Saban from 2011-15 at H-back and tight end, helping Saban to three national championships.
Nysewander compared Rich Rodriguez, who was also born and raised in West Virginia, to the legendary coach.
“It’s funny because [Saban] and coach Rodriguez are very, somewhat similar, in my opinion,” Nysewander said. “I think it’s kind of that blue-collar West Virginia type feel.”
That’s high praise for Rodriguez. Rodriguez has had success, but not to the level of Saban. However, there is some merit to what Nysewander said.
When Nysewander would go into the Saban’s office, he’d have his feet up with his shiny shoes on the desk. Saban told Nysewander of how his father grew up in a mining town and how West Virginia made him tough and the way he is.
“He kind of always had that chip on his shoulder type feel that coach Rodriguez, I feel like has too,” Nysewander said. “They’re very, very similar as far as how they run a program and stuff.”
The success might not be similar, but Nysewander said how they run and build up the program is similar. They know how to create culture.
“I’ve never seen better culture builders,” Nysewander said. “It’s the stuff that doesn’t…
Source link : https://www.dominionpost.com/2025/04/05/rich-rodriguezs-blue-collar-west-virginia-coaching-style-similar-to-nick-saban/
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Publish date : 2025-04-06 02:37:00
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