How Good Do You Want to Be?: A Champion's Tips on How to Lead and Succeed at Work and in Life (Paperback)

by Nick Saban (Author), Brian Curtis (Author)
Key Phrases: peer intervention group, season conditioning, dominant teams, Michigan State, West Virginia, Kent State (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Followers of college football will know Saban best as the coach of the 2004 championship series–winning Louisiana State University Tigers. Here he offers an inspiring book that draws parallels between decisions made in life and those made on the gridiron. Saban's own journey, told with the help of sports journalist Curtis (The Men of March), began in a West Virginia mining town, where he was able, through his love of sports and the wisdom of his family, to walk a path toward excellence. With three main points (develop a good "product," i.e., yourself; know the competition; work with your team), Saban uses anecdotes and straight talk to bring solid advice that crosses over from sports to other aspects of life, including overcoming obstacles, going the extra mile and being honest with oneself. The lessons are homey in tone and commonsensical: e.g., "Invest your time, don't spend it" and "Climb the mountain, but watch your step." While an understanding of football could make the lessons more profound, the advice offered can be used by people in all professional fields and by those just trying to live a better, more fulfilling life. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
He guided LSU to its first football championship in forty-five years. He turned down countless offers from professional teams to stay with the job he loves. Now Nick Saban reveals the secrets that will help you lead and succeed at work and in life.

Excellence doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from hard work, consistency, the drive to be the best, and a passion for what you do. Few understand this better than Nick Saban, the hottest college football coach in the game. Now, in How Good Do You Want to Be?, Saban shares his winning philosophy for creating and inspiring success.

In more than three decades as a player and coach, Saban has learned much about life and leadership, both on the field and off. Working alongside some of the game’s legends, including Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick and coaching legend Jerry Glanville, he saw firsthand how great leaders encourage greatness in others. In this candid, insightful guide, he shares such acquired wisdom as

• Organization, Organization, Organization
Create an environment where everybody knows his or her responsibilities–and each is responsible to the entire group.
• Motivate to Dominate
Understand the psychology of teams and individuals, and use that knowledge to breed success.
• No Other Way than Right
Practice ethics and values–and demand the same from your team.
• Look in the Mirror
Maintain an understanding of who you are by knowing your strengths and your weaknesses.

How Good Do You Want to Be? is more than the story of how Nick Saban motivates his staff and players to excel–it is also the memoir of one of America’s most successful coaches. Filled with instructive anecdotes and illuminated by never-before-told stories of his life and career, this is a book that challenges and inspires us all to be our best.


From the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (January 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345500849
• ISBN-13: 978-0345500847
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #328,550 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #74 in

  Books > Sports > Coaching > Football (American)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb content. Lacks drama., January 20, 2005

By	James Lavin "PatriotsBook.com: Management Sec... (Stamford, CT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: How Good Do You Want to Be? A Champion's Tips on How to Lead and Succeed at Work and in Life (Hardcover)

As a Patriots fan, I was depressed when Nick Saban became the Dolphins' new head coach because Saban is as similar a football coach to Bill Belichick as you will ever find until scientists perfect cloning. In his new book, Saban lays out his philosophy very clearly. His philosophy helps individuals take control of their lives, work well with others, etc. It also helps leaders build more team-oriented organizations. Everyone can benefit from this book, not just football fans:

"focus... on what it takes to get to [become a champion], and not on getting there," "[Players] encouraged one another and kept each other in line," "no selfishness," "we shared a purpose," "the opponent should never determine your level of competitive spirit," "anyone can be successful with the right attitude," "a road map... allows everyone... to know where you are headed," "what you need are players who have good ability, but who can reach their potential consistently... every time out," "be honest and candid and let the players know their prospects," "we have a vision for the organization and, more importantly, for the people," "create... a culture of expectations [so] everyone knows what to expect," etc. I could go on for many pages.

I know Saban's philosophy works because it helped Saban's LSU Tigers (consistent losers before Saban took over) win a share of the 2003 NCAA championship and also helped Belichick's Patriots win two of the past three Super Bowls. It's the same philosophy. I expected great similarities because Saban coordinated the defense of Belichick's Cleveland Browns in the early '90s when the two became closest of friends. But I was shocked reading Saban's book because almost every principle Saban advocates is presented in my book ("Management Secrets of the New England Patriots") as what I term a "success factor" underlying the success of Belichick's Patriots.

One of the few things in Saban's book that Belichick might disagree with is Saban's argument that "Not only should you not concern yourself with the score, you should also avoid setting the bar or establishing the benchmarks for success" (p. 58) because, he claims, it's more productive to "Stay focused on the next play to dominate [your opponent]" (p. 59). Belichick believes strongly in benchmarks: personal and team, short-term, medium-term, and long-term. And Belichick also wants his players to play to the score. If they have a lead late in the game, he wants them to stay in-bounds to run down the clock, for example. I'm not sure Belichick and Saban disagree as much on this as Saban's book suggests. One of Saban's running themes is the importance of focusing on the minute-by-minute process rather than the long-term goal (national championship, winning the game, etc.). Belichick certainly preaches this too.

The principles in this book are valuable and clearly explained. My only disappointment is that the book lacks drama. The opening chapter ("Part 1") is a tedious list of plays from LSU's championship season. I didn't know the players or care about them, so I nearly fell asleep. This material could have been fun had it been integrated into the rest of the book to illustrate particular principles.

Aside from Saban's stellar ideas, the book's highlights are occasional colorful examples, many involving his dad. To illustrate "Disappointment is a part of life," he cites his dad saying, "Be like the grass--the more manure they throw on you, the stronger you get." My favorite part is actually his father's story (36-39). Like Belichick, Saban received a brilliant education from his father, in both football and life: "Invest your time, don't spend it." "It's not just about the results. It's about perfect execution." "You reap what you sow." Someone could write a great book about the fathers of great football coaches.

Three stars for writing. Seven stars for content. Averages to 5 stars!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good program stuff for coaches, December 9, 2006

By	Ryker Semanovic - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Good Do You Want to Be? A Champion's Tips on How to Lead and Succeed at Work and in Life (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was full of program building stuff for football teams and programs. Coach Saban puts a bunch of info in here about program philosophies etc. that, as a coach I found very useful. I practically have half the book highlighted. I highly recommend this book for any coaches who are looking for good program ideas. You may not use them all, but they will get you thinking.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Leadership Ideas, January 29, 2007

By	selli (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Good Do You Want to Be? A Champion's Tips on How to Lead and Succeed at Work and in Life (Hardcover)

Overall a good book. Saban and his co-author do a good job of connecting football experiences to life experiences and how to deal with him. Very positive in content and useful information whether you coach football or just want to be a better parent. Good reading