‘Throw the damn flea flicker’: Nick Saban gives advice to Akron fan play-caller

For the first (and probably only) time in his life, Marty Whims II will call plays in a college football game.

Before he does so, he got some advice from none other than the greatest coach in the sport’s history.

While making a brief appearance on ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday, Sept. 12, Whims was given three tips from “GameDay” panelist and seven-time national champion Nick Saban before he scripts the opening drive in Akron’s game today against Robert Morris.

First and foremost, get the call in early.

“Don’t get marbles in your mouth,” the legendary former Alabama coach said.

“Stay ahead of the sticks,” Saban said. “Run the ball. All the fans are going to want you to throw it. Run the ball…run it. You won’t get criticized as much.”

“Don’t get cute,” said Saban, who graduated from Akron's rival, Kent State. “But if you’re gonna get cute, throw the damn flea flicker. The fans will love it.”

Whims won a highly publicized contest in which Akron awarded a season-ticket holder a chance to be the team’s offensive coordinator on the Zips’ opening drive of their Week 2 game against Robert Morris, an FCS team from suburban Pittsburgh.

Akron…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/