Lakers Video: Kobe Bryant Details Longstanding Admiration For Nick Saban During Visit With Alabama Crimson Tide Football Team
Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide football practice
Mickey Welsh-Advertiser via USA TODAY NETWORK

While Nick Saban had a brief and failed stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, returning to the collegiate ranks from the NFL has largely been nothing but fruitful. Since a 7-6 debut season with Alabama in 2007, he’s guided the Crimson Tide to double-digit wins every year.

SHOP NOW: CHECK OUT THE LATEST MERCH ????????????

Included in that are three BCS Championships and two more titles since college football switched to a playoff format. Saban has led the Crimson Tide to the four-team College Football Playoff in each of its four iterations, going 5-2 in that time.

Like other programs around the country, Alabama is pushing through fall camp in preparation for the season. The mundane nature practices can take on was recently broken up when Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant visited campus.

Bryant spoke with the Crimson Tide football players about leadership and learning to how to adjust to what’s necessary in order to get the best out of teammates. He mentioned Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in his examples.

While Bryant was there to pass his wisdom on young athletes, the visit provided him with an opportunity to meet Saban, who the future Hall-of-Famer explained he has long admired. While a few decades apart in age, Bryant and Saban share a similar passion and drive for excellence.

Rather than become satisfied or complacent with winning multiple championships, it served as fuel for the fiery competitors. And for now, Bryant and Saban remain tied with five titles in their respective professions.

Are you following us on Instagram? We’ve changed our handle to @LakersNationOfficial! Find us on Facebook at @LakersNation, and on Twitter @LakersNation.

You May Also Like

VIDEO: Kobe Bryant’s Top 10 Plays From The 1998-99 Season

We continue our journey through the Top 10 plays from each of…

Lakers Highlights: Russell Westbrook Comes Up With Steal & Three To Send Game To Overtime Against Raptors

The Los Angeles Lakers had not won a road game since the end of January but finally snapped that streak after…

Lakers Video: LeBron James In Gym Preparing For 21st NBA Season

As the Los Angeles Lakers season came to an end, LeBron James admitted that retirement is something that he would need to consider…

Lakers Highlights: Clutch Alex Caruso Plays Lift Team To Victory Over Hornets

With the Los Angeles Lakers understandably fatigued at the end of a seven-game, 12-day road trip, the team needed a spark…