Saban Ready for Success at Peru

Peru State College’s football team has tasted what new head coach Lou Saban calls the sweet wine of success, and he’s ready to add a touch of his vintage leadership on the field.

It’s the first time he’s taken over a winning program, Saban says. He does so today.

“I don’t think you understand, or can feel the way I feel -- the joy at being able to take over a team that’s done so well,” Saban said.

“All my life I’ve spent rebuilding teams.”

In a career that began 41 years ago, Saban, 69, has held coaching positions with eight colleges and universities, six pro teams, three high schools and one semipro team.

He also was president of the New York Yankees in 1981 and 1982, and served as a consultant and scout for the Yankees from 1984 to 1987.

Peru State put together a 12-0-1 record in 1990 and won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II national championship when it defeated Westminster of Pennsylvania 17-7.

The school’s national championship trophy was on display as Saban spoke during a news conference at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield on Monday.

“They’ve tasted the sweet wine -- gotten the idea of winning, and hope to continue with it as time goes by,” Saban said.

“We’ll do the best we can to give them the best. At least I know what. We’re going to have a ball,” Saban said, turning and speaking directly to Bobcat wide receiver Cory Catterson, who attended the news conference.

Catterson caught 63 passes for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.

Many of the passes came from All-American quarterback Nate Bradley, who can graduate this spring if he wants to. But he has a year of eligibility remaining.

Saban said he’d love to have Bradley back for another season, but the decision is up to the player.

“Nate’s got to want to come back because he wants to come back. Nothing I can say or do is going to make too much difference as far as Nate is concerned,” Saban said.

When Peru State announced last week that it was hiring Saban, Bradley said he might stay nad now he says he will.