In Saban's world, his idea of the bigger picture is the next practice, the next play, the next recruiting class. "I hardly know what's going on outside of here externally," Saban said. "I'm predisposed from all of that stuff. My whole focus is on what does the team need to do to be successful and what we need to be doing every day to make it that way.
"That's where my whole thought process is. It's never on, 'Well, you did this,' or 'you can let up on that.' It's never any of that because there's always another challenge. You never have a chance to look back. You're always looking forward."
And for some Alabama fans, therein lies their greatest fear.
Will Saban have so much success at Alabama that he'll get the itch to seek another challenge elsewhere? He insists not, even though his name is going to invariably come up any time there are marquee openings in the college game or the NFL.
"I think most people know I'm here for the long haul," Saban said. "I'm not looking for another challenge. I've done that too much.
"When I was at LSU, I was ready to settle in except for one thing: Would I ever go to the NFL? Well, I did that and learned about myself and feel fortunate that I got back to a good place where you had a chance to win, and that was here. So regardless of what anybody else says, I'm not looking for another challenge.
"I'm not satisfied with my performance, but I am satisfied with myself being here."
Saban's toughest challenge may be in front of him, and that's feeding this massive beast that he's created.
Let's face it. The expectations at Alabama have always been sky-high, but Saban has elevated them to a point where it's almost national championship or bust -- every single season.
