The University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn University Tigers face off Saturday in Tuscaloosa before a crowd of 105,000 for what is now called The Iron Bowl. It can be a contentious time for fans of this rivalry, it always has been.
The first game between the two state schools was played at Lakeview Park in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 22, 1893. Auburn won 32–22, before an estimated crowd of 5,000. Right out of the gate, there was disagreement: Alabama counted the game as the final matchup of the 1892 season while Auburn recorded it as the first matchup of 1893. One article I read had a comment, obviously from a Bama fan: “I was actually there, Auburn cheated!” This year, with the Tide dropping 3 games and Auburn a few more than that, the winner owns bragging rights.
That’s the prologue for our topic of Head Coach TV G.O.A.T. Getting down to business, this Saturday will mark the first time since 2007 that Nick Saban won’t be on the sidelines coaching in the Iron Bowl. Even though Coach Saban was 11-8 against Auburn in his career, his presence will be missed—to a degree, at least.
Has any coach, at any level, been as visible as Nick Saban in the first year of retirement? From ESPN Game Day to his commercials for Home Depot, to fishing with Coach Prime and the Aflac duck. But he saved his best work for the Vrbo national campaign. Call it type-casting, but his delivery of the copy was superstar.
With all the accolades Coach Saban is receiving, and as one of his biggest fans – our agency had the opportunity to work with him on commercials for the Birmingham Mercedes-Benz launch – I have one more entry for you to consider as the Head Coach TV G.O.A.T.
Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant was a legend as Head Coach at Alabama from 1958-1982. He was known for his trademark houndstooth hat, deep gravely voice, and dominating stature. Sunday afternoons in Alabama were planned around watching his replay show on TV. His commercials for the show’s sponsors were on the simple side for production values.
But one time, for South Central Bell, Coach Bryant did a Mother’s Day commercial that still stands as a classic: an unforgettable closing line, and one continuous shot from beginning to end.
I hope you take the time to view my two nominees for Head Coach TV G.O.A.T. Let me know what you think, and if you have any other favorites for this honor.
Wrap up the 2024 Thanksgiving week, enjoy the game, and if there is some special person you’re thankful for, give them a call, you will be glad you did.