Bothered by Leaders

This morning I read of Nick Saban's announcement to leave the Miami Dolphins to become the new head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Even though, as an Auburn fan, I'm disappointed to see a coach of Saban's caliber go to my archrival, I must say that my disappointment in seeing the announcement is mostly due to the deception that has surrounded it.

You see, Saban specifically and explicitly gave his commitment to Miami that he would do what it would take to turn that program around (and was given carte blanche authority do so too!), and he specifically and explicitly said publicly just over one week ago that he would not be leaving Miami for Alabama under any circumstances. Now, I understand that this was said to the press, who is starved for information in what probably should be a private decision, and I understand that it may actually be the best decision for him and for his family to leave Miami (and not just from a financial point of view). But why say anything at all about it publicly? Why give your commitment if you're not going to keep it? Why give your word if you're going to break it the very next week?

It bothers me, because it reeks of what is wrong in our day and time. No commitment. No honor. No integrity. No doing the right thing. It bothers me, because Saban is a leader with a lot of influence in our sports-crazed world. What is this "leader" teaching us? He's teaching our young people (and our old people) that it's okay to lie; it's okay to deceive; it's okay to break your word; it's okay to put yourself ahead of everything else. Can't we expect more from our leaders? Shouldn't we expect more? It also bothers me, because Saban is reputed to be a Christian (I think he's Roman Catholic). And, as such, he's teaching people that there is no difference between Christians and the world. He's teaching everyone that there is no difference in the way that a Christian approaches the world and the way that a non-Christian does so, when the Bible overtly teaches us the exact opposite.

I'm reminded of how this is so unlike Winston Churchill's famous line in his speech to the House of Commons as the nation braced for WWII: "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth lasts for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.'"

And, lest anyone think I'm being less than fair, I must also point out that the circumstances under which Auburn's current head coach left his previous position were equally as problematic. (Although Tuberville may have made amends in the way he responded when the university flew up to Louisville to interview Bobby Petrino.)