In last season's NCAA, Alabama's Crimson Tide claimed the national championship by defeating the Georgia Bulldogs with a field goal in overtime, achieving a glorious three-peat and reestablishing their dynasty.
It was a slight pity that running back Jacobs lost the Heisman Trophy to quarterback Mayfield, missing the unprecedented feat of three consecutive Heisman wins by a running back. Still, Alabama was at its peak.
Everything was on track.
Next, the Crimson Tide set their sights on a historic four-peat.
So, when Lance saw Coach Burns among the Chiefs' staff, his first reaction was joy—but also surprise.
After all, Burns had been a core member of Coach Saban's staff for over twelve years. He had received countless invitations from other NCAA programs and the NFL, but as someone without grand ambitions, Burns had always turned them down. He never aspired to be a head coach and had been content with his role.
And yet, here he was now!
So what had happened?
Just moments ago, Burns had brought up Saban. But when Lance mentioned him, Burns' expression changed without warning.
"Don't mention that guy to me—he's lost his damn mind."
Lance: …
Seeing Lance's stunned face, Burns quickly tempered his tone. He glanced around at the Chiefs' coaches and players, trying to keep himself in check.
Originally, Burns didn't plan to explain much—he didn't want distractions during training. But then again, Lance wasn't an ordinary kid. He could handle it. And if rumors got to him first, it would only be worse.
So Burns gave a nod forward. "Come on, walk with me. I'll give you the short version."
They walked and talked.
"Sigh."
Burns kept it brief.
Midway through last season, though Alabama remained unbeaten, Saban experienced heart issues and nearly needed hospitalization. He began realizing the pressure of coaching was taking a toll.
His energy was fading.
While Alabama kept winning, the season was a struggle, and Saban began thinking it was time to step away at the top.
He was 68, well past retirement age. With an unmatched legacy in college football, Saban had nothing left to prove. Better to bow out with dignity than be forced out in decline.
Burns, 67 himself, agreed.
Burns, always a humble man, had no ambitions beyond coaching. He cared deeply for the young running backs but was prepared to retire. When Saban broached the idea, he was ready.
So in the second half of the season, Saban and Burns began grooming successors. Even in leaving, they wanted the Crimson Tide to remain stable. Saban even announced he'd pick his successor from within.
In the NCAA, Saban is a king.
To be named his successor meant not just coaching Alabama, but gaining immense prestige and attention from both NCAA and NFL circles. Coaches began posturing—some openly, others secretly—to earn the spot.
And then, like a movie script, Alabama won the national title in overtime, securing the three-peat—an ideal ending to Saban's coaching career.
If he retired.
But he didn't.
Saban changed his mind.
After winning again, he felt the fire return. The rush, the thrill—it was too much to walk away from.
He chose to stay.
Burns was furious.
He warned that coaches would feel betrayed. They had exposed their ambitions, even undermined each other, to vie for a position that now no longer existed. The atmosphere would crumble.
But Saban didn't care. It was his team, his kingdom. If he didn't relinquish power, no one could take it. He even told Burns something that deeply hurt him—
"You're no exception."
That was the final straw. Burns left, slamming the door behind him.
His resignation was processed in under an hour—clearly Saban's doing. That ended any lingering sentiment Burns had left.
And as predicted, chaos followed.
Saban's decision shook the team. He responded by gutting most of the staff and rebuilding from scratch. Before more turmoil could erupt, Alabama was already preparing for the next season.
As Burns said—Saban is a king in the NCAA.
Burns, meanwhile, enjoyed retirement. Despite receiving many job offers, he turned them all down—until the Chiefs, in need of a running backs coach after staff reorganization, came calling. Veach personally visited Burns.
No one knew what Veach said.
And Burns didn't plan to tell Lance either.
But in the warmth of his gaze toward Lance, perhaps a glimpse of the truth could be found.
"…Coach, are you sure you're okay with this?" Lance asked, concerned. "Maybe Coach Saban just acted on impulse—he might regret it."
Burns waved him off. "Son, life's too short. I won't waste it on regret."
Seeing Lance was about to speak again, Burns changed the subject. "Now, let's talk about this year—how do we best use your talents?"
"What've you been working on this offseason?"
As always, Burns' eyes lit up when talking about running backs—his passion, unchanged and pure.
He looked Lance up and down eagerly, itching to dive into training, completely immersed in his element.
Even though he'd asked a question, he didn't give Lance a chance to answer.
"Oh, and there's one more surprise."
Lance: Another?
"Ronnie! Hey, Ronnie! Aren't you going to say hi to an old friend?"
Lance turned to look.
He froze.
The sunlight struck his eyes—too bright, a little painful. They grew warm.
It was just the sun. That's all.
His nose tingled, but a wide grin bloomed across his face as he looked at the familiar figure, who smiled nervously back.
"Hey, Master. Looks like you finally chose the path of no return."
Ha.
Ronnie Clarke couldn't hold it back. His laugh burst forth, full and free.
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Powerstones?
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