In a coaching career with more recent stops at the Florida SEC (2005-10) and Big Ten’s Ohio State (2012-18), Meyer Urbano has been around and faced great minds in college football. As he prepares to assist his successor in the Buckeyes’ head coach in his second year Ryan Day face Alabama head coach in 14th grade Nick Saban with the National College Football Playoff Championship, Meyer sees similarities between the two.
“I think they are both very similar,” said Meyer of Day and Saban at Friday’s FS1. Preview of the national college football championship. “Obviously, we handpicked Ryan Day to take over the state of Ohio. I have known coach Saban forever and have trained against him four times. They are very different because one is a defensive-minded trainer and the other is an offensive-minded trainer.
“However, the two are very similar. They believe in the fundamentals. They believe in selflessness and in the team in the first place. That’s why they win. They believe in discipline. Both teams are very disciplined.
“I see many similarities. One has been around for a long time and the other is just beginning. Two of the best people and coaches I know.”
Dia, 41, is 20-1 (14-0 Big Ten) since taking charge to start the 2019 season after Meyer’s retirement. Saban, 69, who has a 164-23 record (95-15 SEC) in Alabama since 2007, influenced Day’s strong start.
“Well, he does a great job as a coach,” Saban said on Thursday. “He is a very good player in attack. He has a great attacking scheme. He certainly does a great job training his players to execute that scheme. They are very well trained in all phases, and his team plays with great intangibles, discipline , endurance, tough play. They seem to have great unity in their team.
“So, I think all of these are great indicators of the excellent work Ryan Day serves as the head coach and leader of your organization.
“I think he took a great opportunity and certainly did an excellent job with it. And they have one of the best teams in the country, no doubt.”
Saban, of course, is in thin air as a six-time national championship winner – including the 2003 LSU season (2000-04) – with six CFB Playoff appearances, four trips to the national championship and two titles since 2014. The Day is starting began in the state of Ohio, after a presentation of the CFB Playoff in 2019 with the return of the Buckeyes in 2020 and debut in the national championship against Saban.
“Again, nothing but the greatest respect for coach Saban and his team,” said Day on Monday. “Whenever you reach this level, you know you need to be in your game. You go against the best in the world, and Alabama certainly will. Coach Saban’s career speaks for itself.
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“… When you reach this level, you know it will be difficult, no matter how you shake it. You have to be at the top of your game and do a great job preparing the guys, playing at a high level and it’s what we’re going to focus on. “