Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 562
Chapter 562: 561 Reunion with mentor Chapter 562: 561 Reunion with mentor Last season in the NCAA, the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm won the nationwide championship by a field goal in overtime against the University of Georgia Bulldogs, achieving a glorious three-peat and establishing their dynasty once again.
It was extremely regrettable that running back Jacobs lost to quarterback Mayfield in the Heisman Trophy voting, failing to accomplish the unprecedented feat of a running back winning three consecutive times, but Alabama was indeed at its peak.
Everything was on the right track.
Next, the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm prepared to go for a fourth consecutive championship.
So, when Li Wei saw Burns in the coaching staff, he was happy, but his first reaction was of surprise and astonishment.
After all, Burns, as a core member of the coaching team who had been with Saban for over twelve years, must have received countless invitations from other NCAA teams and from the professional league, yet Burns was a man without ambition, harboring no extravagant hopes for a head coach position, always content with the status quo.
Now, he appeared here unexpectedly!
...
So, what had happened?
Just moments ago, Burns had brought up Saban himself, yet he hadn’t expected that now, when Li Wei mentioned Saban, Burns would turn pale without warning.
“Don’t talk to me about him, that guy has lost his mind.”
Li Wei: …
Seeing the astounded look on Li Wei’s face, Burns quickly reined in his reaction, realizing he had frightened the kid; he glanced around at the other coaches and players of the Kansas City Chiefs and hurriedly controlled his temper.
Originally, Burns wanted Li Wei to go directly to training without bothering with other distractions, but then he considered that Li Wei wasn’t an ordinary kid and probably wouldn’t be easily sidetracked.
If he continued to hide the situation, and rumors reached Li Wei’s ears, it would be worse.
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Thus.
Burns gestured to the front, “Lead the way and show me around.”
They talked as they walked.
“Sigh.”
Burns sighed lightly, explaining as briefly as possible.
Midway through the last season, the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm maintained their winning streak, but Saban’s health became an issue, nearly being hospitalized for heart problems.
He realized that the stress of the field was breaking his body down.
And his energy was waning.
Throughout the past season, the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm, despite continuous victories and maintaining their advantage, stumbled along, facing numerous challenges.
At that time, Saban thought he should bow out while ahead, at the peak of his career.
Saban was now sixty-eight years old, well past the age of retirement.
He had set countless records at the NCAA and now stood atop an unsurpassable peak.
Rather than being dismissed disgracefully downhill, it was better to leave a respectable legacy at a time of glory.
To this, Burns agreed—
Burns was only a year younger than Saban, at sixty-seven.
Burns was indifferent to fame and fortune, without grand aspirations or ambitions.
Although he was somewhat reluctant to leave behind the young running backs in the team, when it came to retirement, he was very decisive, ready to turn the page.
And so.
In the latter half of the season, Saban and Burns began grooming their successors.
Even if they left the University of Alabama, they didn’t want the Crimson Tide Storm to fall into disarray.
Saban even announced that he would choose a successor from within the team—
In the NCAA, Saban was king.
Being able to take over from Saban now would mean not just becoming the head coach of the Crimson Tide Storm but also catching the eye of the NCAA and the NFL.
It was a perfect opportunity for a professional breakthrough, and every coach was eager to pounce.
They put forth their full array of skills.
Everything seemed to head towards a perfect Hollywood fairy tale ending, with the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm winning the nationwide championship in overtime for a three-peat, and drawing a rounded conclusion to Saban’s legendary coaching career.
If Saban retired, that is.
However, he did not.
Saban regretted it.
After the Crimson Tide Storm reached the summit, Saban felt revitalized once again.
The thrill of his blood boiling and heart pounding made it impossible for him to easily turn away.
Saban decided to stay.
Because of this, Saban got into an argument with Burns.
Burns thought that the coaching staff would definitely feel betrayed.
Each of them had been showing off as proudly as peacocks, even openly and covertly attacking their own rivals, aiming for the position of successor; if Saban stayed, the team atmosphere would crumble.
Saban didn’t care.
This was his team, his legacy, his kingdom.
If he didn’t give it, they couldn’t take it.
He was the only one with the power to decide.
He even said something hurtful to Burns—
“That includes you.”
Burns was truly angry.
He had been prepared to retire anyway.
Arguing with Saban, he stormed out and left the team just like that.
Burns submitted his resignation, and the University of Alabama completed all the procedures in less than an hour, obviously at Saban’s directive.
This severed Burns’s last bit of attachment and he turned to leave.
And the Crimson Tide Storm unfolded just as expected.
The announcement of Saban’s decision to stay caused an earthquake.
But Saban showed his decisive and ruthless side, cleaning out most of the coaching team.
Amid the ruins, he rebuilt the coaching team and the University of Alabama entered the preparation for the new season before more chaos ensued.
As Burns said, in the NCAA, Saban was the king high above all.
Meanwhile, Burns, now idle at home and settling into retirement, though constantly receiving invitations, turned them all down until the Kansas City Chiefs urgently needed a running back coach following a shake-up within the coaching staff, and Veach personally visited Burns.
No one knew what Veach said to Burns.
Burns didn’t plan to tell Li Wei either.
But from the satisfied look Burns gave Li Wei, maybe one could glimpse some truth.
“…Coach, are you sure it’s okay?” Li Wei couldn’t hide his concern, “Coach Saban was just impulsive.
He might regret it too.”
Burns waved his hand, “Kid, life is short.
I don’t want to waste time on regrets and hesitation.”
Seeing that Li Wei wanted to speak, Burns already changed the topic, “Let’s see this year, how we should properly utilize your abilities.”
“So, what all did you train during the off-season?”
Burns was still Burns; the topic of running backs made his eyes sparkle like a child, full of sincerity that never faded.
Talking while scrutinizing Li Wei closely, he seemed eager to begin training; but likewise, he was immersed in his world, thoroughly lost to it.
He had asked Li Wei, yet didn’t allow Li Wei the chance to respond.
“Ah, that’s right, there’s also a surprise.”
Li Wei: Another one?
“Ronnie, hey, Ronnie, aren’t you going to greet an old buddy?”
Following Burns’s gaze, Li Wei saw a figure.
He was slightly taken aback.
Sunlight, falling straight on, piercing into the eyes, causing a sharp pain, his eyes felt warm.
It was definitely because the sun was too dazzling.
His nose felt a bit sour, but the smile still quietly crept up to his lips and bloomed fully, looking at the figure in front with a restrained smile and a touch of unease.
“Hey, master, it seems, in the end, you’ve chosen a road of no return.”
Ha.
Ronnie Clark couldn’t hold it in, and his laughter burst forth from his chest.
