Saban, Tigers still focused on Iowa Players say coach's imminent departure is not a distraction Monday, December 27, 2004 By Mike Triplett Staff writer ORLANDO, FLA. -- Nick Saban, the soon-to-be former LSU coach, went back to work with the Tigers for one final week Sunday. LSU arrived in Orlando on Saturday evening, just in time for a team meeting and Saban's announcement that he would be leaving next weekend to coach the Miami Dolphins. But on Sunday, it was back to business as usual as the 12th-ranked Tigers prepared for their Saturday date with No. 11 Iowa in the Capital One Bowl. "I was very pleased with the way our team came out and practiced, relative to all that's happened," Saban said after the team's first practice Sunday on a surprisingly chilly Thunder Field, part of the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium Complex. "I'm sure it's not easy for them. It's not easy for me. But I was very pleased with the way they were focused on what we had to do and the task at hand and the business of playing this game, which is the most important thing for them." Senior defensive end Marcus Spears said Saban was "his old self" on Sunday, as the players and coaches returned to work following a four-day break from practices during the Christmas holiday. "We had a feeling he was struggling with deciding to go or stay," said Spears, who also is expected to join the NFL as a first-round draft pick. "I think a lot of guys are happy for him. Of course, some young guys may have some concerns, but that's normal. But this program that we have in Louisiana has nowhere to go but up. "We've been successful since I've gotten to campus, and I don't think it'll stop because Coach leaves. Somebody else will inherit a gold mine." The Tigers have become accustomed to the distractions surrounding their coach. Not only are NFL rumors an annual occurrence, but Saban's courtship with the Dolphins lasted 12 days and began just before the team's first bowl practice Dec. 16. Spears credited his coach for being up-front with the players and for not letting his job status affect the team. Saban was scheduled to leave his team today for a brief trip to Miami for a press conference, but the Sun-Sentinel reported late Sunday night that Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga will fly to Orlando today to have Saban sign the contract. "I try to do one thing at a time, be effective in what I'm doing. And my time right now is devoted to this team," said Saban, who tried to downplay the effects of his activities. "I'm used to a lot of distractions. This has not been a big issue for me. I feel as well prepared as any game we've ever played." Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who is no stranger to NFL rumors himself, said it would be "wishful thinking" to believe LSU's performance will be negatively affected. "It wouldn't bother me at all," Ferentz said after his team's practice at nearby McCracken Field. "But my sense is that they've been operating business as usual. Nick's name has been out there. My guess is they've been prepared for something like this." Ferentz was featured Sunday morning in yet another article that linked his name to the Cleveland Browns' coaching job. Ferentz downplayed the rumor, saying that it had been floating for the past month. Ferentz and Saban worked as assistant coaches on the Browns' staff in the early 1990s -- Saban as defensive coordinator and Ferentz as offensive line coach. Like their coaches, Iowa (9-2) and LSU (9-2) bear several similarities heading into the New Year's Day showdown. Each have highly ranked defenses, and enter as two of the hottest teams in the country. The Hawkeyes were 2-2 before winning their final seven games. The Tigers have won six in a row. "They all have to understand we're here to play a game," Spears said of his younger teammates. "I don't think they fully understand yet how much Iowa wants to beat us."
Yes, I know, excuses are like a-holes, but I'm becoming increasingly concerned that this team will pull a "Florida" and not show up mentally for Saturday's game. Saban has struggled all year long to get a firm grip on getting this team to play consistently and to its potential each week. I have no doubt he's busting his ass to get this team ready to play, but the comments from Marcus Spears speak volumes. I just hope Iowa doesn't get an early break or two and get up, because I think it's gonna take a quarter or so for LSU to be in this game. They'll need to get hit in the mouth a couple of times before they're zoned in like they should be, IMO. Even if Iowa gets up early, it's a good thing they can't run the ball, which should make it a bit easier to climb back into the game from an early deficit.
