บท 30: A New Hope
Morning light, dawn breaking—it was the start of a new day.
Coach Saban arrived at his office early. Many people, seeing the legendary career he had built in the NCAA, assumed he could now rest on his laurels, basking in the praise and admiration. But in reality, Saban had never taken a day off.
He understood that, in the world of competitive sports, coaches and players were the same—slacking off for even a single day could mean falling behind.
In lower-level competitions, raw talent could dominate. But the higher the level and the more professional the competition, the more talent became just the baseline. Everyone was talented, and all were formidable. At that level, success was determined by effort and focus. In any sport, the athletes at the top are all gifted, but it's the ones who work the hardest that become legends.
This was also why Saban wasn't fond of the NFL—
Managing a superstar with a multi-million-dollar salary was challenging enough, but managing 20 players earning millions, plus 30 more with seven-figure contracts, each of them bigger celebrities than the coach? That was something else entirely.
These players would find all kinds of excuses to skip training or do things their own way, like Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback, who brought his personal fitness coach and tactical adviser into the team, making it hard for the official coaching staff to do their jobs.
Is money important?
Absolutely.
Without money, there would be no leagues, and professional sports wouldn't exist.
But when the pursuit of money becomes the primary focus, sacrificing professionalism in the process, it's a disaster for competitive sports. It's not that you can't discuss money—it's that you can't forget why you're playing in the first place.
Money comes from performance on the field.
Professional athletes are all top-tier talents. But even among them, those who remain driven and true to themselves are rare.
Saban's straightforward personality didn't suit the world of big-money deals, so after trying the NFL three times, he chose to stay in the NCAA.
Of course, the NCAA is also about money, no less than the professional leagues. But at least the kids in the NCAA still believe in their dreams. They still have passion and hope. They're willing to sweat and work, not just for the money.
As Saban stepped into his office, he glanced out the floor-to-ceiling window and noticed a figure running sprints in the golden southern sunshine.
Saban paused and stepped closer. He immediately recognized Lance's figure.
Spring training camp had been going on for three weeks, and every day, without fail, Lance trained on his own. At first, Saban and the others thought Lance was just trying to make a good impression, putting on a show of enthusiasm that would last for only a few days. But to their surprise, Lance had kept it up for the entire camp.
Even after the intrasquad scrimmage ended yesterday and today's practice was delayed by an hour, there was Lance, out on the field. Even the most dedicated players, like Clark, hadn't shown up yet. But Lance, who had shone brightly during yesterday's game, was right on time.
A small smile crept onto Saban's face.
He'd also looked into Lance's training regimen—
It was systematic and well-organized, covering everything from physical conditioning to technical skills, from strength training to tactical study. Lance wasn't rushing to improve too quickly. He carefully followed a plan, taking one step at a time to grow steadily.
Such intelligence was becoming increasingly rare among today's young players.
It was worth acknowledging.
If Lance knew what Saban was thinking, he'd say the system deserved most of the credit.
The training system would give Lance daily reminders. If his physical or strength training pushed him to his limits, it would alert him that continuing could not only be ineffective but also lead to unnecessary injury.
Similarly, for tactical or skill training, the system would offer insights and advice tailored to Lance's needs, helping him gain a more comprehensive understanding of football.
Honestly, Lance hadn't yet given much thought to football—whether to declare for the draft or pursue a professional career wasn't something he was considering at the moment. But he did admit that he found football intriguing.
For now, the most important thing was how Burns and Saban evaluated his performance. That would determine the outcome of Lance's agreement with the school and whether there would be any consequences later on.
So, Lance didn't dwell on it too much. He focused on the present. Once he started something, he always gave it his best. Slacking off wasn't in his nature.
Training had become a routine, a habit, and even a hobby of sorts—
Studying football tactics felt like analyzing chess strategies.
With the system's help, Lance was gaining a full understanding of football. The template training also gave him a glimpse into the world beyond the NCAA—a professional league full of challenges and endless possibilities.
He was starting to feel a little curious.
Yesterday's scrimmage had been a significant experience for Lance. The most immediate result was seeing the progress bar jump significantly. Training and game time increased his growth, but quality plays accelerated it even more. He was getting closer to unlocking the next template, and that made him more eager to keep improving—
Curiosity is a powerful motivator.
Moreover, Lance had also become aware of his weaknesses. His understanding of football still needed to be built step by step through real experience. Even the template training couldn't replace firsthand learning.
Lance hoped to get more playing time when the new season started. With that goal in mind, he couldn't afford to waste any time. Compared to the other players, he had a lot of catching up to do.
So, when his internal clock woke him up early, he dove straight back into training.
"What's with that weird smile on your face so early in the morning?"
The office door swung open. Without turning around, Saban knew it was Burns. He didn't answer, just crossed his arms and continued standing there.
Sure enough, Burns walked over to join him.
Standing at the window, Burns blinked, stammering slightly.
"Is that... Lance?"
Saban nodded. "Earlier than me. And, as always, he's training with a plan. He's disciplined, professional, smart, and persistent. Burton, you may have just discovered the next Derrick Henry."
Burns beamed with pride, a grin spreading across his face. "I wonder who would win if he went up against Derrick."
Saban remained rational. "At this stage? Derrick, of course. Lance is still too inexperienced. He doesn't even fully know the rules of football yet. I've seen him asking Clark to teach him basic tactics and rules."
Burns tilted his head. "But I think his football IQ is higher than Derrick's. Give him some time, and who knows who'd win then."
Saban chuckled. "No wonder people say we're biased. Lance hasn't been on the team that long, and you're already ready to forget all about Derrick?"
Burns looked completely unapologetic. "Lance is a rough gem, and he didn't know anything about football when I brought him in. Naturally, it's my job to look after him."
Burns didn't seem to think he was being biased at all. "Nick, don't you think it's time to reconsider who should be our starting running back?"
He even had the nerve to push further!
Saban laughed quietly, unsure of what to make of the situation, but what surprised him most was that his first reaction wasn't to say no.
Hmm? What's happening here?
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