Saban becoming big multimedia presence

NCAA Football Betting Lines

08/26/2010 -

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -Nick Saban is all about efficiency, even when it comes to capitalizing on the positive publicity from a national championship season.

Instead of hunkering down and writing a book like he did at LSU, the Alabama coach allowed cameras into his professional inner sanctum for a one-hour behind-the-scenes ESPN special filmed early in fall camp. Now, a documentary on the 2009 season is set to appear in theaters near you - well, if you live in certain cities in a four-state area.

For Saban, it's free publicity with minimal time siphoned from the other parts of his job. Like coaching and generally running a team.

That's what he was doing Tuesday evening during the Birmingham premier of the documentary ``Nick Saban: Gamechanger,'' though his family and athletic director Mal Moore attended.

``I haven't seen it, so I can't tell you what it's about,'' Saban said. ``It was a whole lot easier to do than write a book.''

That's what he did after LSU won a national title in 2004, mixing in some of biographical material with leadership principles in ``How Good Do You Want to be?''

``Gamechanger'' was produced by Flashlight Media Group of Memphis, Tenn. The company said it is set to air in nearly 30 theaters starting Friday in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.

Producers Trey Reynolds and Grant Guffin, who had done a DVD set of Alabama football's greatest moments, approached Saban's Memphis-based agent, Jimmy Sexton, about the project just before last season. They started shooting after the season, traveling with Saban to film an ESPN commercial with Texas coach Mack Brown in California and to his home state of West Virginia.

``He's portrayed as somebody who is almost robotic in his drive and his commitment toward football,'' Guffin said. ``I had the perception before we had the opportunity to observe him and get to know him that he was football 24-7, 365 days a year.

``He's a guy who has learned how to keep things in balance. He's a guy who clearly knows how to have a good time and who enjoys time with his family and enjoys time with his friends. He's got a really sharp wit. We had the opportunity to hear some stories from friends of his of things that they have done in the past. He certainly has a mischievous streak as good as the next guy. He's much more three-dimensional to me after being around him and getting to know people who know him.''

It's just the latest example of Saban's multimedia presence. He was on the cover of Forbes magazine two years ago as the ``most powerful man in sports.'' He appeared as himself in the movie ``The Blind Side.''

Now, there's the ESPN special and documentary back to back.

Alabama tailback Mark Ingram was a big presence on the TV program, even doing handstand pushups after one of the crew members challenged him to a pushup contest of the regular variety.

``I haven't seen that much of it,'' Ingram said, ``so I need to catch somebody who Tivo-ed it.''

He said he didn't know anything about the documentary.

Might it be Saban's choice for the Friday night team movie before the opener next Saturday against San Jose State?

``That's always coach's decision,'' Ingram said, ``but I doubt he'll pick that.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds

Will he or won't he?  Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.

Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.

"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."

Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.

Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.

But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.

Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback.  It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.

Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1


Atlanta Falcons 50-1


Baltimore Ravens 15-1


Buffalo Bills 50-1


Carolina Panthers 18-1


Chicago Bears 10-1


Cincinnati Bengals 15-1


Cleveland Browns 100-1


Dallas Cowboys 15-1


Denver Broncos 15-1


Detroit Lions 100-1


Green Bay Packers 50-1


Houston Texans 100-1


Indianapolis Colts 6-1


Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1


Kansas City Chiefs 30-1


Miami Dolphins 40-1


Minnesota Vikings 75-1


New England Patriots 10-1


New Orleans Saints 18-1


New York Giants 20-1


New York Jets 30-1


Oakland Raiders 100-1


Philadelphia Eagles 18-1


Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1


Saint Louis Rams 60-1


San Diego Chargers 6-1


San Francisco 49ers 75-1


Seattle Seahawks 20-1


Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1


Tennessee Titans 40-1


Washington Redskins 50-1

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