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Fortune ranks Nick Saban as one of world’s greatest leaders

By Patrick Schmidt

Mar 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; President Barack Obama holds an honorary game ball presented by Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban (left) during a ceremony honoring the 2015 national champion Crimson Tide in the East Room at the White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; President Barack Obama holds an honorary game ball presented by Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban (left) during a ceremony honoring the 2015 national champion Crimson Tide in the East Room at the White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban was recognized as one of the greatest leaders in the world by Fortune.

There is no doubt about who the greatest college football coach is today. It’s Alabama’s Nick Saban and it may not even be that close after he led the Crimson Tide to a fourth national championship in the last seven seasons.

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When you include the championship he won as the head coach of the LSU Tigers, Saban’s five national championships have him closing in on Bear Bryant and his six rings as the all-time leader in college football.

So while Saban is the unquestioned No. 1 in his industry, he isn’t the greatest leader in the entire world, although he did rank No. 11 on Fortune’s list of the World’s Greatest Leaders.

Saban checks in one spot below Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina much to the dismay of fans in and around the Tuscaloosa area who are still in disbelief over Saban not being ranked No. 1. Saban was joined by Golden State Warriors guard and reigning MVP Steph Curry and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr who came in at No. 15.

Fortune assistant editor Brian O’Keefe says Saban’s ranking is a reflection of his ability to communicate a clear message to his players.

“If you talk to CEOs, what is one of their biggest challenges?” asked O’Keefe. “Coming up with a clear message and then communicating that to their employees. Nick Saban is incredible at doing that.”

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Other luminaries to check in on the list of the world’s greatest leaders are Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (9), Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (8), musician John Legend (6), Auburn grad and Apple CEO Tim Cook (5), Pope Francis (4) and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos who takes the top spot.

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