Charles Barkley gets Nick Saban to loosen up in candid, entertaining interview

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

When you think about the modern Alabama sports scene, it’s hard not to think about two names above all others. On the Alabama side, you have Nick Saban, arguably the greatest coach in the history of college football, and certainly the best of this generation. On the Auburn side, you’ve got former Tigers legend Charles Barkley, who still very actively supports the team, who is always willing to take a poke at the Crimson Tide whenever possible.

What makes the two so fascinating, however, is that beyond their icon status they’re so different. Saban, the quiet yet fiery one, Barkley, the outspoken life of the party. That is also what intrigued us when we discovered that AL.com had set up a very, very cool video of Barkley interviewing Saban.

Barkley -- who is an excellent interviewer, for what it’s worth -- gets Saban to open up in a way we rarely ever see. The old coach is loose, relaxed and seemingly having fun chatting with one of the most famous alums of one of Alabama’s most hated rivals.

Amongst the many topics they discuss is Barkley’s putrid golf game, which included this exchange:

Then, there is Barkley asking about whether Saban is a grill-master or not. Barkley assumes he is, and Saban is quick to correct him.

First of all, I love that Saban speaks in this context, like he does in real life. "Not my deal" and "I kind of got out of that world" are definitely the kind of Saban-ism’s he’d use to describe pretty much anything. Whether it’s why he no longer coaches offense, or refuses to hop on a grill.

And finally, there is Saban talking about Alabama’s famed, afternoon pick-up basketball games.

He also explained that he is always his team’s point guard. No matter who he plays with.

The interview goes in a lot of different directions from there. Whether they’re talking about Saban’s willingness to give young athletes a second chance or his unwillingness to change diapers, Barkley gets Ssaban to open up in ways we haven’t seen.

The only question I have at this point: Is there any chance we can make this a regular thing? I would absolutely watch these two once-a-week, every week for the rest of the season.