In a 2007 feature on Nick Saban, Ivan Maisel wrote that there were several things about the Alabama football coach that you and I don’t know. There’s a separate life away from football. There’s a life that might explain why he has four Styrofoam cups stacked in his Mercedes cup holder.
Maisel wrote:
The Saban you know has a national championship ring. At $4 million per year for the next eight years, he earns the biggest salary in college football. He has a wife who has been his life partner for 35 years. That’s professional, financial and personal success.
The Saban you don’t know may have a Manhattan income, but his tastes remain rooted in his native West Virginia. Given his druthers, Saban would be watching practice video, a cup of coffee on the table and Red Man Golden tucked in his cheek. Toss a package of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies (the original size, not the big ones) next to the coffee and you may not hear from Saban for hours.
Dip cups. Makes sense. If you’re Saban, you don’t want to get caught driving around town and get caught without a dip cup and have to stop at a McDonald’s drive-thru or some other joint. You don’t need the hassle. You are always prepared and have a backup spitter.
Not sure if this is the same Mercedes that Nick drives these days. This was from 2011 when he was getting ticketed in Birmingham.
