Florida State and Alabama face off in the so-called “Greatest Opener of All Time†on Sept. 2, and while that name might still be a massive understatement, the reunions that will take place in Atlanta carry an enormous amount of history.
And that’s no understatement.
Indeed, the Jimbo Fisher-Nick Saban storyline is in full rampage mode, burning through the words of each and every season preview written by your favorite beat reporters. I’ll give it to them; the story is pretty eye-catching: Legendary head coach builds empire. Leaves said empire to begin another. His assistant drives a few hours south and constructs his own, following in the steps of an all-time great (without skipping a beat, I might add). Then, after years of dominance from both sides, the nation finally gets what it wants: A showdown of epic proportions between two storied head coaches.
Only, that’s just one of several noteworthy — and criminally under covered — reunions that will happen on the first Saturday night in September.
Saban suffered his fair share of troubles at the hands of FSU quality control specialist Dameyune Craig, but Seminole fans will remember him as the guy that stole Fisher’s signals for three quarters in the 2014 BCS National Championship.
Craig served as Auburn’s quarterback coach after a 3-year stint at the same position at FSU. He helped coach Auburn to a national championship appearance and was involved in this ridiculous — albeit wildly illegal — play during this ridiculous win over Saban’s top-ranked Alabama side.
Had Seminole wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin not noticed him calling FSU’s plays during the national title, Craig might have been a national champion. Instead, he left to take a position coaching receivers at LSU three years later — a position which he then left to return to Tallahassee in March 2017.
Craig will remain in the press box for the majority of contests, as backroom staff are prohibited by the NCAA from interacting with the head coach outside of pregame preparations and halftime adjustments.
Seminole fans will remember Jeremy Pruitt’s name all too well. The defensive coordinator led a dominant FSU defense in 2013 and has not missed a beat since, coaching highly-ranked defenses at Georgia and now Alabama.
Pruitt’s sudden departure from Tallahassee was met with negative reaction, both from within the team and among the Seminole fan base. In addition to leaving FSU after just one season, the move was clearly not about money, as the university reportedly matched Georgia’s offer.
Alabama soon poached Pruitt from Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s grasp. On Saturday night, however, Pruitt faces the head coach who gave him his big chance.
It was Fisher that picked him to lead the Seminole defense despite the fact that he had never previously held the title of defensive coordinator at the college level. It was Pruitt that led that defense to a historically dominant 2013 season and it was Pruitt who quietly left town after just one year.
The Fisher-Pruitt chess match could mean bad news, as Pruitt likely knows the ins and outs of the FSU offense. Time to break out the towels again.
Oh, and remember Chris Weinke?
For those who don’t: Weinke was at the helm of FSU’s offense during the Seminoles’ 1999 national title-winning season. That squad became the first team in college football history to go wire-to-wire at No. 1 — a feat that has yet to be repeated. He won the program’s second Heisman Trophy as a senior during the 2000 season.
Now, he serves in Saban’s vast army of backroom analysts in Tuscaloosa where, coincidentally, his first job will be to help the Crimson Tide beat the Seminoles.
Weinke was brought in after Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian and Clint Trickett — another former Seminole — left the program. He brings a wealth of recruiting knowledge to Alabama, having previously served as the director of IMG Academy’s John Madden Football Academy.
Look, the Fisher-Saban duel will easily take up the vast majority of the pregame buildup, and that’s OK. But, to blatantly ignore the historic reunions that will take place on Sept. 2 would be incredibly unfortunate: A former Heisman winner returns to battle the team he once led, the quarterbacks coach at the center of the most memorable Iron Bowl in history gets another shot at the ‘Bama head coach, and a coordinator responsible for one of the greatest season-long displays of defense now faces the head coach who gave him his big chance.
And, yes, Jimbo Fisher vs. Nick Saban.
Excited yet?
Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole. He previously served as a editor and reporter for FSU athletics for Armchair All-Americans. You can find him on Twitter @joshmixon10.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login