Comparing the Current Running Backs to Saban’s Past Backfields

Coach Saban's calling card is usually his outstanding defense, but the unit that may be his best is on the other side of the ball: the running backs. Saban's offensive gameplan calls for great running backs, and this next season will be no different.

All the way back to his first head coaching job, Saban knew the importance of having good running backs. Troy Parker was his go to back at the University of Toledo, amassing over 875 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns and leading the Rockets to a 9-2 record. Parker ended his football career at Toledo after the 1992 season, but Saban utilized his talents and abilities to keep the team in every game, even the losses (of which Toledo lost both games by a combined 5 points).

His next head coaching stint was even further north at Michigan State starting in 1995. His lead running back that season was Mark Renaud, a great tailback who accumulated over 2,300 yards during his career and is heralded as one of the best Michigan State running backs of all time. His partner in the backfield, however, was Scott Greene, an absolute touchdown machine. Greene finished the '95 season with 17 touchdowns, although he only rushed for half the yards that Renaud rushed for.

Sedrick Irvin, Duane Goulbourne, and T.J. Duckett highlight Coach Saban's backfield for his final two seasons at Michigan State, all three of whom are considered among the best backs in school history.

After his tenure at Michigan State, his legacy of great running backs didn't take a step back as he took the helms of LSU. Labrandon Toefield was first in line as one of Saban's great running backs, rushing for almost 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2001. Toefield was drafted in the 4th round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003.

Justin Vincent, Alley Broussard, and Joseph Addai were the key running backs that led the Bayou Bengals to a split national championship with USC in 2003 and the latter two led Saban and the Tigers to their outright national championship in 2004.

In 2005, Saban returned to the NFL as head coach of the Miami Dolphins for two seasons. After not having a great amount of success, he came back to the college game, and the rest is pretty much history.

His running backs at The Capstone consist of names like Terry Grant, Roy Upchurch, Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacy. Currently his offensive backfield is loaded with running backs such as T.J. Yeldon, who holds the UA freshman record for rushing yards in his first season; Kenyon Drake, one of the most explosive players in the country; and Derrick Henry, who's breakout game last season against Oklahoma has had people salivating over the chance of him getting more playing time this coming season.

It's safe to say that wherever Nick Saban coaches, there's always going to be top tier talent at the running back position, and next season will continue, most undoubtedly, to follow the pattern.