Were it not for Nick Saban, Will Muschamp might still be calling plays at Valdosta State.
That’s where Florida’s coach was working when he first met Saban before the 2000 Peach Bowl.
Muschamp only intended to catch up with Jimbo Fisher — a friend who was the LSU offensive coordinator and now coaches at Florida State — when he stepped into the Georgia Dome to observe a practice.
Muschamp ended up chatting with Saban for about 20 minutes and said the two hit it off. When the job as linebackers coach opened up about a month and a half later, Muschamp interviewed with Saban and was promptly hired.
“I probably wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for the opportunity he gave me at LSU,” Muschamp said Monday.
A year later, Muschamp became the defensive coordinator, and when Saban left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2005, Muschamp followed as assistant head coach for defense.
Muschamp stayed with Saban for only the first year of his two-year tenure, accepting the defensive coordinator position at Auburn in 2006.
“Will probably, of all the guys that we have had on our staff through the years, probably worked the hardest, did the best job, had the most passion, was probably as well liked by the players as anyone,” Saban said.
“He did a great job for me for a long time.”
Working with Saban for five years, Muschamp learned a great deal about total program management and building a team identity.
Saban is also the source of Muschamp’s “critical factors” approach to recruiting — a system of ranking prospects at each position by certain criteria.
Muschamp said the familiarity between himself and Saban gives no advantage to either side. Still, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis thought it prudent to ask Muschamp for advice on dealing with Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.
Although cut from the same mold, Muschamp’s defense won’t be an exact replica of what Alabama brings to The Swamp. How Saban and Muschamp devise their schemes is based on personnel, generating clear differences between the two systems.
But quarterback John Brantley said he sees similarities between the two in that each wants to confuse offenses with different looks. Center Jonotthan Harrison said the Florida and Alabama defensive lines are similar in size and style.
For all the two coaches have in common, Saban can point to one key difference.
“I can’t jump up and down on the sidelines anymore like he does, I can tell you that,” Saban said. “It’s been so long since I’ve been a young guy that I can’t even remember, but I was a little volatile at the time, too. I hope a little less volatile now.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Alabama coach Nick Saban (pictured) helped groom Florida coach Will Muschamp during his career.
