Archive - February, 2012

Talking Saban, Tebow, Bama Football, & Super Bowl with Phil Savage

February 4, 2012 in Leadership with 0 Comments

Phil Savage has been part of the NFL for twenty years serving as a coach, scout, player personnel executive, and general manager. His football experience includes working with Bill Belichick, Nick Saban, Homer Smith, Bill Curry, Terry Donahue, Ozzie Newsome, and others.  Phil currently is a personnel executive in the NFL and on Saturdays in the fall he can be found in broadcast booth serving alongside Eli Gold as football color analyst for the University of Alabama. Phil has been part of two national championship teams at the University of Alabama and one Super Bowl championship with the Baltimore Ravens. Below are portions of a short-interview we did with him for Adullam online magazine. Visit www.twelve23.org to register for the magazine irf interested.

How has the University of Alabama established such a long-term winning tradition?
When President George Denny took over the University of Alabama in the early 1900′s, he made a declaration that he wanted the school to be known for football. He put an emphasis on the game. He got the right coaches, and they began to win. They went to several Rose Bowls and won their first national championship in 1925. In this case, I think success begets success. By and large, the very foundation of the winning program was established almost 100 years ago, and we’re still building off that now. With the exemption of a few years here and there, Alabama has been very successful in almost every decade since the beginning.

Do you expect Alabama to be in the hunt for another national title again next season?
Alabama is certainly going to be up for national honors. They’re bringing back an experienced quarterback with a national championship under his belt. They definitely have the resources they need. Saban is the best defensive coach and coordinator in the country. He’s got a younger group of players about to emerge who have learned what it takes to win. They really have a drive to play to a certain standard, regardless of opponent or circumstance. The players have evolved into Saban’s principles of playing your absolute best, regardless of their situation or circumstance. They showed a lot of maturity this year as a team, and the younger players will be able to continue that next year.

You’ve been connected with Saban for more than 20 years. Have you seen his leadership progress or has he always been a dynamic coach and leader?  Continue Reading…

A Humorous Super Bowl Coincidence?

February 4, 2012 in Miscellany, Personal Growth with 0 Comments

For several years, I wrote a weekly devotion for professional coaches, scouts, executives and athletes. I once wrote a devotion entitled, “Throw Your Heart Across the Bar!” In short, the devotion was about a trapeze coach who taught one of his fearful students that if he would throw his heart across the bar, then his body would naturally follow.

During the Super Bowl XLII contest held between the New England Patriots and New York Giants in 2008, Tom Brady’s Patriots were 18-0 and a twelve point favorite over Eli Manning’s Giants. In what could be considered as the best ending in Super Bowl history, the Giants shocked the world by winning 17-14. Manning was named game MVP.

During the post-game interview on national television, a reporter asked wide receiver Plaxico Burress to share what attributed to the win. He answered, “Coach just told us to throw our hearts across the bar and that’s what we did. We threw our hearts across the bar!” Continue Reading…

Twelve23 Movement Launches “Adullam,” an Online Magazine for Leaders

February 4, 2012 in America, Leadership, Miscellany with 0 Comments

The Cave of Adullam

A new year may be upon us, but the people of our great nation are still facing the same serious issues as before. The economy still falters, politicians are still irresponsible, the main-line media still infuse bias into our news, and there seems to be insurmountable social and spiritual concerns at every level of society. While these grave times for our nation are certainly not to be celebrated, we can find solace in the fact that many God-fearing Americans are taking a stand! In spite of the constant barrage of rhetorical spin, political correctness, and ridiculous musings that seem to fill our airwaves and lecterns, there is a groundswell of individuals who have simply had enough. They are sick and tired of standing on the sidelines while our nation is invaded by opposition to its foundational strengths. Continue Reading…