re: There was a guy working in the ditch, one of those coonass guys that talk funny"

Because the majority of Saban's interactions were with large booster's, administration, etc. Not fans. The same reason there is a contingent of people who think that Orgeron and his accent are embarrassing to the program. Which many of those guys are one in the same.

There are others who embrace South La and all of its cultural differences.

I think he probably goes around with major Bama boosters saying the same thing about the Harvey Updykes. He doesn't interact with the average gump either.