Nick Saban Explains Why Alabama Amateur Nick Dunlap Is Having So Much Success

The retired football coach called into Golf Channel while watching an Alabama-heavy final group at the American Express.

Golf figures to be a big part of Nick Saban's retirement, and on Sunday that meant watching a pair of University of Alabama players chasing a win on the PGA Tour.

Amateur Nick Dunlap has been the top story of the American Express tournament, taking a lead into the final round. The 20-year-old Alabama sophomore and reigning U.S. Amateur champion teed off Sunday in La Quinta, Calif., alongside Justin Thomas, the two-time major champ who also went to Alabama.

That made for a perfect Sunday afternoon of television for the retired Alabama coach and avid golfer, and he called into the Golf Channel broadcast from Jupiter, Fla., to discuss the Crimson Tide golfers.

Avid golfer Nick Saban closely watched a pair of Alabama golfers Sunday at the American Express / Imago

While Dunlap was chasing a historic Tour win for an amateur (Phil Mickelson was the last amateur winner, in 1991), Saban said it was no surprise.

"He's got a great work ethic, he's a great person, pays attention to detail," Saban said. He's got the right disposition to play."

Saban told a story about how he visited Dunlap at the Alabama golf complex, when Dunlap was using "one of those machines that tells you how your ball's spinning and all that," and how Dunlap hit 100 shots with a driver, closely studying the launch monitor's data.

Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee asked what would the master motivator and coach tell the player before a final round with so much history on the line.

"Play the next play, focus on the next shot," Saban said. "Stay focused on not the outcome, but what you have to do to get the outcome. I think that's the best way to focus."

Sounds like the kind of advice that wins seven national championships.

Saban was also asked about Justin Thomas and their longtime friendship.

"He's my partner when we play together—everyone asks 'how many shots does he give you?' He doesn't give me any, he's my partner," Saban said. 

"He's a hard worker, he had to overcome some adversity last year like a trouper. He'll have a great year this year."

Before hanging up, Saban also offered a clue into how retirement golf is going.

"I'm watching Golf Channel getting every tip i can get."