Jimbo Fisher describes why Nick Saban is X-factor in big-time games

Jimbo Fisher has plenty of history with Nick Saban. From his time as an assistant to Saban at LSU to becoming the first assistant to hand the Alabama coach a loss, Fisher has immense respect for the legend.

As Saban prepares for his next huge game, Fisher joined The Paul Finebaum Show to give his thoughts on why Saban is an X-factor in big-time games.

“He’s done it before,” Fisher responded, when asked about the difference Saban makes in big games. “The trust factor .. I always say this, you got to trust your teammates, trust your team, trust everything. But the hardest person in the world to trust is yourself. And then, you got to trust the guy who’s giving you the instructions. Do you really, really trust the guy who’s running the show? Has he done it before, has he helped me? And I think his experience, his success, his track-record makes a difference.

“It’s not that he has magical answers. It’s just the guys believe in the system and the philosophies in which he has. When he does make the adjustments and he does make the calls, they can trust him because he’s done it before, and his history’s told him that. Nick has been there. He’s got experience, and he’s got enough experience and success that he’s comfortable in his own skin to be able to do that.”

Trust goes a long way between coach and player. As Fisher mentions, Saban has earned plenty from his Crimson Tide players.

Fisher on Saban: ‘Players overtime understand that when Nick says it, it’s for the best of us and we can win.’

Furthermore, Fisher harkened back to the time Saban won his first national championship. His former boss wasn’t always the relaxed, comfortable coach that he’s become in his latter years.

“I remember early – when we won our first national championship, when I was with Nick – he’s grown so much from then,” stated Fisher. “And I don’t mean that as a negative. There’s times now where you see him a lot more relaxed and comfortable in situations — it wasn’t always like that. You have to imagine how he was when we won the first one. There was a lot of that.

“I think the players overtime understand that when Nick says it, it’s for the best of us and we can win. There’s a trust factor there. I think it’s really critical to coaches who have had a lot of success.”

Jimbo Fisher may have defeated Nick Saban, but the Alabama coach can still end the season by adding another championship to his collection.