Nick Saban speaks for coaches but not for players

Nick Saban sat down with ESPN’s Chris Low recently and discussed a number of subjects, including the factors that played into his decision to retire from coaching in general and Alabama specifically.

Saban’s comments have gotten plenty of attention, as they should. When the GOAT speaks, everyone should listen. His perspective is informed and important. There’s a lot of depth and context to what was said, though, that goes beyond the basic headlines or bullet points — “NIL chased Saban out” or “players aren’t the same.”

So let’s dig into some thoughts on that, but first, here are the pertinent quotes.

The one making the most headlines involves his team’s reaction to an overtime loss in the national semifinals to Michigan.

“I want to be clear that wasn’t the reason, but some of those events certainly contributed,” Saban said of his decision to retire. “I was really disappointed in the way that the players acted after the game. You gotta win with class. You gotta lose with class. We had our opportunities to win the game and we didn’t do it, and then showing your ass and being frustrated and throwing helmets and doing that stuff … that’s not who we are and what we’ve promoted in our program.”

Then he discussed meetings with the players after the season.

“I thought we could have a hell of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80 percent of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?” Saban recounted. “Our program here was always built on how much value can we create for your future and your personal development, academic success in graduating and developing an NFL career on the field.

“So I’m saying to myself, ‘Maybe this doesn’t work anymore, that the goals…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-saban-speaks-for-coaches-but-not-for-players-190422207.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-03-06 19:04:22

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.