Terry Foster: George Blaha Has Fond Memories Of Nick Saban
By: Terry Foster
@terryfoster971
George Blaha is the voice of Michigan State Spartans football.
And one of his most memorable days came during a boating trip to Higgins Lake with former Michigan State coach Nick Saban and his wife during a couple's afternoon. Afterwards they ate at a lake front restaurant before turning in for the evening.
"That is a little slice of life people don't expect," Blaha said. "Those will always be good memories for me."
The Saban-Blaha friendship continues even though Saint Nick coaches the University of Alabama. However, Saban is doing all he can to beat Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl New Year's Eve and advance to the national championship game. And for once Blaha won't be rooting for his old friend.
"Those guys at Michigan State are my friends also," said Blaha who also serves as Pistons play-by-play for FS Detroit. "When they win, I win. I want to win a championship. There is no question where I lean in this game."
The two met in the 1980s when Saban joined George Perles as an assistant at MSU. Their friendship blossomed when Saban became State's head coach from 1995 to 1999. Blaha hosted Nick Saban's coach's shows on radio and television and also interviewed him before every game.
Saban gave Blaha access to practices and the coach's dressing room where he struck up more friendships.
Blaha and Saban kept in touch and the broadcaster visited the coach at LSU and Miami where he coached the Dolphins. Blaha has gone to Tuscaloosa three times where Saban has coached since 2007. Once was during a southern tour to learn more about soul and blue's singers like Sam Cooke.
Blaha secretly roots for the Crimson Tide except for this game and when Alabama played his alma mater Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS National Championship game.
Blaha is mindful of how difficult it is to run a world class program like Alabama. That is why he does not bug Saban all the time.
"I know how challenging the head football coaching job is and I also know how much time it takes to do it right," Blaha said. "Just like I would not be calling Mark Dantonio all the time on his cell phone, I don't call Nick all the time."
Blaha said he plans on going to an Alabama home game the next time it fits his schedule.
POWER BROKER
Saban is considered the most powerful college coach in America and he does not have many friends in East Lansing after leaving for LSU. Sometimes his press conferences are contentious and filled with tension as Saban goes off on rants following a question he does not like.
Blaha has seen the softer side of Saban many times.
"I don't consider him close to being standoffish," Blaha said. "He is really a very welcoming guy. But he is serious. If you want to win games and want to win championships, you have to be serious. Don't think Mark Dantonio is not serious. The guys who win are. "
CAN I GET A LIFT?
Blaha will miss the Pistons New Year's Eve game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but has an interesting path to the national championship game. After the Pistons game Tuesday at Madison Square Gardens he will fly back home on Round Ball One with the team.
In Detroit, he will be picked up by an MSU booster and fly to Dallas for the game. The following morning, boosters will fly him to Indianapolis and continue to Detroit. Blaha will cover the Jan. 2 game against the Pacers and return home on Round Ball One.