Nick Saban Says Analytics 'Don't Tell You What Happens When You Don't Make It', Apparently Completely Unaware Of What Analytics Are

Nick Saban is the greatest college football coach of all-time. He's built the most successful dynasty in the history of the sport and sustained it for a decade and a half. And yet somehow, he still has his head buried in the sand with regards to analytics like you might expect someone of his age — but not of his coaching pedigree — to have.

I'm honestly pretty surprised Saban, of all people, still views analytics as some kind of boogeyman. Though I suppose it makes more sense when you hear him explain that he doesn't really understand what they are and what they do. In regards to specifically fourth down decisions, the potential consequences of failing to convert are kind of the entire point of analytics. If the expected value of converting outweighs the expected value of failing to convert, go for it. If it doesn't, don't.

There is something to be said for momentum, personnel and things like that, but on the whole, analytics are a useful tool for coaches to use when making decisions. I find it incredibly odd that Saban seems to be blissfully unaware of what exactly they do, but he's made it this far so I think he'll end up being alright.