Mario Cristobal reveals Nick Saban referred to past Alabama offenses as Al Qaeda: 'Called us the Taliban'

Mario Cristobal made an interesting revelation about Nick Saban when Cristobal coached under him at Alabama. When trying to adapt to new-age offenses as college football evolved, Alabama’s defense was a wrecking crew.

In fact, Saban referred to Cristobal and the Crimson Tide’s offense as “Al Qaeda” and the “Taliban.” That was directly from Cristobal and it certainly was a curious comparison.

Cristobal spent time at Alabama as the associate head coach, offensive line coach and run game coordinator from 2013-16. When asked on the Pat McAfee Show about the evolution of offense in college football considering a recent return to dominant defense and run game in the NFL.

“I think everything is morphing and evolving and blending,” Cristobal said. “I mean, you think about it. I was at Alabama with Coach Saban, we were almost like a like a boa man, we like to kick your butt up front and just strangle you on defense and win 17-3 But you have to start scoring points right and then the spread and tempo. Remember, as Coach Saban used to call us Al Qaeda, because we would like go fast at practice … 

“If we could just combine that almost like that basketball-like spacing mentality in the passing game, and blend in with the right type of play action protection concepts, great screen games, a power running game … Like a good pitcher, you mix up your pitches all the time. If you could make that a reality, then you can have something special. And we’ve become that and last year for us, that was a generational offense, and we feel like we can be even better here in the coming years. 

McAfee couldn’t help but laugh and had to respond as Cristobal finished his point. Comparisons aside, it was an interesting look at how teams evolve.

“Enemy of the state, coach Saban’s calling you here,” McAfee said. “These guys are enemies of the state here.”

“Called us the Taliban is what he did,” Cristobal said. That generated more laughs from the McAfee crew. In any event, Cristobal and Miami are 1-0 after a win over Notre Dame in Week 1. The Hurricanes are ranked No. 5 in the latest AP Poll and look like the early, and easy, ACC favorite this fall.