College Football Coaches as Star Wars Characters

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban on the field prior to the 2015 Sugar Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Saban: Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious

Unfortunately, Bobby Bowden never built the empire with the Florida State Seminoles that Nick Saban has now built at two different schools.

Just like Obi-Wan Kenobi never had the command or power of the force that Darth Sidious had. As Master Yoda told him in Revenge of the Sith, “To fight this Sith Lord, strong enough, you are not.”

Saban’s coaching empire that includes four national championships, including three in four years, is only greatness matched by Darth Sidious.

Believe me, this is a compliment to Saban. Well, sort of.

Saban is also the master manipulator to maintain his empire. He loses his temper with the media members methodically in Tuscaloosa to make sure they write what he wants. He over-signs in his recruiting classes and messes up some recruits with that.

And of course, “I’m not going to be the Head Coach at Alabama” is the all-time great lie. But Saban spent years building up his reputation to be able to be in such control of everybody and everything. As a point, nobody dares to question him anymore.

Palpatine did the same thing, patiently waiting for his chance while in the Galactic Senate, then becoming the Chancellor, and then reordering it into the Galactic Empire while naming himself Emperor where nobody dared to question him. It took master manipulation for that.

Next: Urban Meyer: Master Yoda