One-on-One: Charles Barkley interviews Nick Saban

Charles Barkley interviewing Nick Saban has instant appeal. Why?
Two sports figures at the pinnacle of their respective professions.
A Hall of Famer who played at Auburn and a legendary coach at Alabama.
Their personalities often represent opposite ends of the spectrum.
Charles Barkley and Nick Saban. Do you have to say much more than that?
In this AL.com exclusive, Charles Barkley talks to Nick Saban about his football team and his vision for success and gives us insight into his life off the football field. Throughout the week, AL.com will take you behind the scenes of this candid interview between two of the most celebrated figures in sports.

[@The08linkin]

Nick Saban is honestly one of the smartest coaches ever. Love the way he handles himself off the field.

[@LightningTurtle8455]

Agreed

[@skippythealien9627]

there's a reason why Alabama is an elite program and has been for a long time now. look no further than Nick Saban. i honestly think he could still succeed at the NFL, but he doesn't need to prove anything anymore with what he's done in Tuscaloosa

[@scuzzbecuzz]

Barkley is a good interviewer ! Coach seems relaxed talking to him. That’s the sign of a good interviewer!!

[@robertridley9279]

He's been in the media for 20 years, ever since he retired from basketball, so he'd better be a good interviewer by now.

[@rizzorizzo2311]

I met Charles Barkley in the airport one time. I had on my crimson Alabama hoodie and walked right up to him and said "roll tide" and shook his hand. He's a really nice person! Really humble, personable guy.

[@terrymcanear1638]

Greatest coach of college football history.

[@louis1589]

Fax

[@deathtogeorgesoros3008]

for sure

[@ncisme970]

debatable

[@The08linkin]

Lol chill. We will never know that.

[@thedickens6490]

as an AL native, I concur. I'll take some heat from the old-timers, but the records don't lie

[@seanmccarthy9110]

a nick saben basketball highlight tape would be worth a million bucks

[@AlabamaCrimsonTideonALcom]

No kidding!

[@WILLTONY7]

Be almost as valuable as getting that Prince basketball footage. I'd pay good money for both lol And I'm an AUBURN fan and alum lol

[@sethturner5740]

Sean McCarthy I would pay 25 cents tops for it

[@JAKEaudio2]

As an Auburn fan who went to Alabama(and also a realist) I have nothing but respect for Saban and this is now one of my favorite college interviews because it is so informal and real....great work!!!

[@Whatx22]

Barkley wearing an Auburn hat while he interviews Nick Saban at Alabama savage 😂

[@sheribrown2824]

Barkley has zero class. Never had any. Now Bo Jackson is a classy guy. Barkley has always been just a show-off.

[@vincentlett9830]

Sheri Brown it's a joke Saban also gave him bama shirts lol

[@blakehardy7105]

@@sheribrown2824 Sheri please don't take up for real Alabama fans that actually graduated from the university.

[@sittingbackandwatchingital3845]

Sheri Brown your the reason everyone hates white people

[@Chubbytiger74]

he's a great coach, not just for his success on the field but more importantly how he helps these kids mature. he cares about his team and wants them to grow into responsible young men

[@laquintebrown7171]

Nick Saban The Best! Coach Ever!

[@Th3Class1c]

Coming back to this interview on 1/11/2024. A little over 29 hours ago on 1/10/2024 Coach Nick Saban retired as the Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The GOAT!

[@CD-pk7xr]

Alabama fans love you Charles. Hope you run for office in Alabama one day.

[@genemartin6962]

Two good guys. I am an Auburn Graduate and I admire both of these guys. Chuck for his insights and comic ability and Saban for his relentless pursuit of perfection. Yes, I want for Auburn to beat him on game day but I still admire the guy. He is a winner in every sense of the word.

[@motecalevol]

I agree with the comments about giving young men second chances. Charles is right, 18 year old boys often do stupid things. If you throw them away for one mistake, you greatly increase their chances of having a screwed up life. Keep em in school!!!! First Class. . .Charles Barkley and Coach Saban!!

[@journeymarket]

I think these kind of videos are great. I'm sure Saban gets tired of just talking football in interviews. And Charles Barkley is just hysterical. I hope they do more together.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

very sincere man...i sense his vulnerability...unique blend of intensity and passion...has a big heart...strong sense of justice and truth

[@GrayGamer]

Saban and Barkley are both class acts. Great representatives of both universities as well as the rivalries and excellence that come with that.

[@JMaC959]

As a black man, I really liked this interview. lol, I'm white

[@countrykang1996]

LMMFAO!!!!

[@savaughiefrench9901]

LMFAOOOOO

[@calecoggins]

From an Auburn fan, this was pretty funny. Great line about Kirby Smart by Charles.

[@sheribrown2824]

Cale Coggins That’s BECAUSE you are an auburn fan.

[@bradley2060]

Cale Coggins if your a auburn fan why the hell you subbed to the Alabama yt channel

[@fjk77december13]

I love Charles as an interviewer.

[@jonnapouncey98]

I like Coach Saban because I feel like he genuinely cares about the players. ROLL TIDE!

[@nostalgiaman6816]

He had Dre Kirkpatrick in tears thanking him for being a father figure.

[@tommylawrence4794]

Born and raised Bama fan here. Sir Charles is one of the most likeable guys to come from this state. Roll Tide!

[@melanietubbs5188]

This might be my favorite interview I’ve matched of Coach. Much respect for both of these men!

[@spagilla13]

that was good stuff. Coach Saban is awesome.

[@NekoMouser]

Great interview. Can't wait for the start of the season. All the best to both Alabama teams (though a little more to The University of Alabama). Roll Tide!

[@hanj31]

How can you not like saban after watching this interview

[@redwingsfan3621]

Because he’s head coach of Alabama.

[@feliciasanders2066]

@@redwingsfan3621 You're awfully pissy aren't you?🤦‍♀️

[@BehindTheBankTV]

Nick Saban look like Al Pacino

[@lgc767]

Two of my favorites! Love this so much!!

[@clayadkins9305]

I see Coach has an Old Waverly golf shirt on during this interview. That's a great golf course over by Mississippi State. I've had the pleasure of playing it half a dozen times.

[@bamadeadhead]

1:50 I’ve never seen coach laugh this hard😂

[@nateg6946]

😂

[@lakes26mi]

Awesome interview, great to see Saban lose and laughing. So interesting hearing him talk about playing basketball

[@AntiSnowflakism]

As a Razorback Fan, I can't express just how legendary and impressed I am with the GOAT Saban!!!! Best ever with no debate....

[@tigerwareagle1485]

My dad was a head basketball coach for my Alma Mater at Childersburg High and coached Gerald Wallace who, as you may recognize, was a former star in the NBA for years. The year that Gerald was being looked by NBA agents, my dad was eating at baumhowers and saw Charles Barkley there too. He told Chuck that he was coaching the #1 NBA prospected Gerald Wallace (btw he was projected to be the #1 overall draft pick). Chuck told my dad to sit down and have a talk about the NBA high school draftee situation. He told my dad “make sure that Gerald goes to a university first. It would be a HUGE mistake if he went now instead spending one year in school.” So my dad took Chuck’s advice and talked to Gerald about attending college. Gerald Wallace chose to spend one year at Alabama with Coach Mark Gottfried. After that, he was drafted by Sacramento as the 25th pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft.

[@Z71Ranger]

Nice Video... I did not know Charles Barkley had it in him... But he done a nice job...

[@eureka0521]

Charles always does well in stuff like this, like when he's talking directly to the player or coach as opposed to just talking about them.

[@stoneyhurst9731]

Really enjoyed that. Well Done! RTR

[@loupi4bama]

Fantastic!

[@LongLongHoneymoon]

Nice video. Great idea, well executed!

[@jacegarrett1008]

instaBlaster

[@coachdallas2330able]

Definitely a coach who is changing lives ❤😊

[@deemyers6817]

We love & appreciate 🐐 Saban #Rolltide🅰️🐘🏈

[@MrShadyshade]

Great interview!

[@kenhasibar2450]

Sir is The Man. And I have a lot more respect for Coach Saban after this interview. Keep being really, really good! Both of you. America, nay, this society needs you.

[@chuckmaleman5216]

great vid with 2 great guys.

[@eatinmacaroni7135]

gotta love nick

[@sarkastic1824]

How could you not like this guy?

[@Kennyarnold16]

I see why kids want to play for him

[@storms08]

That was pretty good stuff.

[@stephaniemcknight6008]

Sir Charles is a Class Act!!!!

[@Stalagmize]

Two great Americans.

[@notmicha8638]

2:14 And right there is why Nick Saban is one of the greatest coaches of all time. He never quits coaching. I'm sure when he's talking to his players out of the locker room he talks the same way; teaching them and guiding them throughout every interaction. Coaching isn't a job to him, it's his way of life.

[@brettfavreify]

Love that. "Did they paint this dump?'

[@scottielutz3062]

Florida Gators fan here hate to say it but Nick Saban is the best coach in all of college football. Not a fan of Alabama football but at the end of the day I have to respect greatness. Same thing I as a Raiders fan say about Tom Brady and Bill Belichick

[@fml5910]

Saban seems like a pretty decent human being.

[@DixieVipers]

Love me some Charles Barkley. RTR

[@edwindeas]

Good interview. Where can I get the next episode?

[@AlabamaCrimsonTideonALcom]

You can find another episode here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4Kbl4mQdsaUfM0

[@andrewalley9745]

You see coach at the games and he looks like he is towering above so many others yet when he stands next to Chuck, I was shocked! LOL Good chat they had. Coach can't dunk but he will always have something Chuck doesn't, championship rings..... Sir Charles will always be an Alabama youngin like the rest of us, and I have always been a fan of his crazy self. RTR!

[@orangefanization]

Best football coach of all time!!

[@naturetrails8357]

saban is a class act!

[@jimmyc2895]

Lol...great interview

[@michaew9093]

I like this

[@U2BEMatchmaker]

Phil Mickelson got Charles golf game fixed. Great to see these two legendary MEN.

[@christine6323]

Had me laughing✌️

[@mgretche]

Two great gentlemen. I may be wrong. But I doubt it.

[@JustforFun-ki6fk]

Nick and chuck 2 of the best !

[@flame-sky7148]

WHAT us an Auburn alum interviewing a BAM!!!!! Good video

[@nitroneonicman]

CB is the man

[@Force1Com]

2:45 , I'm always interested in trying to judge somebody who's successful, from a distance, and I have this perception about you, tell me if I'm right or wrong... that you are a master griller? lmao

[@GregRowe00]

whoever got those two together is genius. surprised Barkley went to him tho

[@bamadeadhead]

7:25👍🏼😎👍🏼 ROLL TIDE! I’d take Charles Barkley on my basketball team ANY DAY!

[@nonobrobro3310]

you know they invented the toothbrush down in tuscaloosa....lol

[@triplebcards485]

As much as I don't like Alabama and Saban you have to respect one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football Go Dawgs!!

[@feliciasanders2066]

2nd and 26. Tua and 26. Still bitter I see.

[@riff2072]

2:06 Coach is doing some motivational coaching.

[@DailyFoodie]

How come they didn't do the interview in the football stadium?

[@AlabamaCrimsonTideonALcom]

We wanted some privacy, which you won't get inside Bryant-Denny. That and the lighting inside the stadium is not conducive to a long interview. Plus it's Alabama in the summer, so a thunderstorm could come at any moment :) -Justin

[@teemo2926]

How come they didn't do the interview in space jam?

[@Xannyphantom21]

Cuz it's hot

[@Da-Boo33]

Rolltide ....sir charles

[@righthand7063]

Super

[@Maal7432]

Nick plays basketball?? My dude!!

[@shadowentity_0043]

As a gators fan I hate Saban. But I have to admit that he is a great person and an incredible coach. He’s honestly more of a CEO than a football coach!

[@CloseBoysAdventures]

Love it All kids need a second chance, Don't let your mistakes define who you are, learn from that mistake and move on. We throw too many kids out for being young and foolish.

[@richardphillips107]

Roll Tide Roll

[@Local_yokels_monsters_myths]

You know it is heavy sh&t when he ends with Aaaiiiggghhttt!!!

[@imjerseyyy]

Why is this trending with only 50,000 views?

[@db123OG]

ESecPN

[@michaew9093]

Trending because it got 50000 views in a short amount of time. Therefore it is trending.

[@256bradley6]

Don't sleep on our basketball team either

[@aidanwatson910]

That's true and real

[@80srockedandrolled]

Alabama basketball?

[@Denito525]

We do indeed have a basketball team lol

[@charlesmastermind]

Alabama basketball team trash 5-6 right now lol

[@JT-gm4fk]

Bama basketball is the second winningest team.in the SEC all time. Check for yourself

[@threeATL]

Predicted the golf thing

[@GR7X3]

oh man how cool!! less than 700 views is trending now!

[@db123OG]

ESecPN

[@silentnoise2924]

+Dillan Brown 217,000 now fuck boy

[@ntrickn]

I wanna play golf with Charles. I like to raise hell and have a good time @ the course. Don't worry about score so much.

[@yomama8756]

As a Georgia fan I highly dislike Saban but he is probably the best coach in history

[@chrisadams3114]

The media is stupid Alabama has no bad players most of the time their backups can start on most college teams

[@redwingsfan3621]

.3:43. Why did race even have to come up? Just say thanks for giving guys second chances.

[@robertjr8239]

How did this become a conversation about race?

[@coachm86]

95% of his players are black at a University that's probably 85% White

[@feliciasanders2066]

Were you not paying attention? It was pretty much self explanatory. Chuck relayed how it felt for him since he can relate. Saban had no issue with it, so why do you have a panic attack when it's mentioned? Grow up!

[@christianboekhout3475]

Hate Bama but Saban is cool. But he needs to let LSU win once in a while. For good times sake

[@Radamir00]

Well, it's the only way LSU could beat Bama

[@dustin_long1819]

he did let them win lmao

[@jasonkeith9317]

Lol.

[@markjackson6431]

i’m from the future......he did

[@charlesdoyle3630]

Never again lmao

[@carterwong7030]

38-00!!!

[@db123OG]

ESecPN made you think MSU was actually worth anything. Trust me that Iowa team that they beat by 3 should've been ranked 25th.

[@generalgrievous9947]

Dont scroll down theres a guy down there complaining about race 😐

[@Nurgles_Rot_]

"What if someone took a hard foul on Coach Saban?"..... @7:56 So you have chosen Death??

[@nitroneonicman]

Nice to see him be interviewed by someone who doesn't have a motivation to destroy players.

[@Rodneyjackson11]

Kirby could shoot lol

[@bravespiritgaming7178]

hi

[@ambiantproductions2901]

Space Jam 4?

[@megan2173]

What Charles Barkley accomplished in the NBA, particularly given his height for the position he played, is definitely more impressive than what Saban was able to achieve while coaching at the highest level in the NFL. Having accomplished everything possible at the collegiate level, I wonder if Saban ever tosses and turns at night wondering if he should go back to the NFL and prove that he truly is one of the greatest all time football coaches by winning a Super Bowl with the same level of talent that every other team has. Much, much, much easier to win in college with superior talent and patsy non-conference schedule than it is to win championships in the NFL. The more you win in college, the better the players you get and you make your non-conference schedule weak. The more you win in the NFL the worse your players get via the draft, and the tougher your non-conference schedule gets. Bill Belichick is unquestionably the GREATEST football coach ever. Will Saban give the NFL one more try to see if he has what it takes to win a Super Bowl on a level playing field? At his age it's doubtful, but if he wants to go down as one of the all time greatest football coaches he needs to consider it.

[@markjackson6431]

“did they paint this dump”

[@morecowbell235]

You give guys a second shot if they can help you win.

[@hannarautiola6005]

Omm

[@speedracer2336]

Love me some Saban, but the problems he has on defense, OL, poor DC and OC, cannot be fixed in a week. They are still a good team with lots of 4 and 5 star athletes. Just don't think they are championship material. Before the haters start in, I have watched Bama win 13 Naty's and will always back the Tide. Just realistic.