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

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

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.

REQUIRED READING: Why one college football team will let a fan call plays: 'It's boom or bust'

The advice?

First and foremost, get the call in early.

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

Next?

“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.”

And finally?

“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 struggled offensively in its first game, being held to 305 yards, 16 points and 4.4 yards per play in a 22-point loss to Wake Forest in Week 1. The Zips’ head coach, Joe Moorhead, is one of the more respected offensive minds in the sport, having overseen productive offenses at Penn State and Oregon before being hired at Akron after the 2021 season.

Saban's advice may have its limits, though. For all of the championships he won and players he sent to the NFL, his background before being a head coach was entirely on the defensive side of the ball.

Before Whims left for any last-minute preparations for the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff, Saban had one more pearl of wisdom for the newest member of the coaching fraternity.

“After this game, after you call these plays, stay off of social media,” he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Throw the damn flea flicker': Nick Saban gives advice to Akron fan play-caller

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos