Nick Saban always had the highest standards as a coach while in charge of the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, at the same time, that meant that he was able to block out external noise and criticisms from his time, avoiding his players and staff having to face the pressure of naysayers. He took all that pressure for himself, and above all, always knew what his objectives were, so narratives peddled by the press were never of his concern.
A great example of this came in 2015, when, after an early loss to Ole Miss, the press started to doubt him and the Crimson Tide’s future during the season. When confronted by the press, he said:
“I hope they’re playing for each other (his players) and their team and what they want to accomplish and not what you think. Because that’s certainly not what I’m doing. I’m coaching and working for our players and our team to be as good as it can be, and if that’s not pleasing to somebody else, then it’s not pleasing to somebody else.”
“It’s not going to be for you!” he said, directing his response to the media. “The fans, yes. Because if it was up to you, we’re 6 feet under already. We’re dead and buried and gone! Gone!”
Alabama went on to win the national championship and the SEC championship. They finished with a 14-1 record, with the only loss coming against Ole Miss.
Nick Saban’s criticism of the current Alabama culture
While that was the culture of the Crimson Tide back in the mid-2010s, the current Alabama Crimson Tide seems to easily buckle under pressure. Much has been said about the current Alabama team and a lack of mental toughness following a Week 1 defeat to Florida State.
In last week’s College GameDay, Nick Saban went to the heart of the matter, asking the toughest questions about the Crimson Tide’s current state:
“I think the question everybody has — fans, coaches, and even players: Why? Why did we play the game we played?”
“And it seemed like, to start the game and go right down the field and look like an Alabama team and score a touchdown, but then as soon as Florida State went down the field and scored a touchdown, the whole disposition of the team changed, the passion on the sidelines, the enthusiasm and then they played that way the rest of the game,” he added.
In Week 2, the Crimson Tide won against Louisiana Monroe 73-0, recovering from their opening week defeat. However, the true test of character for them will come this weekend, when they face the Wisconsin Badgers at home. Can Kalen DeBoer’s team show the same resiliency as Nick Saban’s team did a decade ago?
Related:
Nick Saban Breaks Silence on Thoughts About Kalen DeBoer After Alabama’s Devastating Week 1 Loss
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