The Varsity The Passion of Saint Nick
Oct 4, 2026
Connor Schell, Words + Pictures co-founder and 30 for 30 co-creator, and Aaron Cohen, the company’s chief creative officer, discuss their six-part Nick Saban documentary. They explore Saban’s leadership, vulnerabilities, humor, and formative years, plus the trust behind the cameras. The conversation also covers Coach K’s next project, sports documentaries after the boom, and where the genre goes beyond ESPN, Amazon, and Netflix.
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How The Saban Documentary Began
- Nick Saban’s agent initiated a documentary conversation that became a two-and-a-half-year project.
- The filmmakers first established trust, alignment, and the story’s approach before filming or gathering footage.
Saban’s Dynasty Was Built Through Failure
- The documentary frames Saban’s Alabama years alongside earlier failures and turning points.
- His dynasty emerged from accumulated lessons, not an inevitable path to greatness.
Why Saban Let The Documentary Show Failure
- The filmmakers included Saban’s Dolphins struggles and critical stories from rivals and former assistants.
- Saban accepted difficult material because a fair, comprehensive story mattered more than protecting his image.