Link: Saban explains NCG loss

[NationalTitles18]

My point is that the mega-millionaires that have been in the game for decades should be getting the guys ready. The repeated, and quite shocking, public flogging of JB was obviously not very effective, so why go right back to blasting players in the media? Maybe what those guys need are skilled, imaginative, hard-nosed football coaches.

The one real weakness in the Saban process has ALWAYS been not having the backups ready. Was Mac Jones ready when we unexpectedly needed him? No. Was Mac a slacker? I don't think so. Was Mac worthy of being given the minutes, actually running the full offense with the first team, so that he would have been ready? Probably so. Who was ready when Scarborough went down a few years ago? And on and on... In most other areas when a problem surfaces, Saban fixes it. Developing the backups and staff continuity never get resolved. The problems with the young receivers was NOT a one-off situation.

The truth is if those guys were so uncoachable they should be gone. Why waste the scholarship? Just doesn't pass the common sense test. It sounds a lot more like deflection and making excuses.

I see CNS slipping. Making bad hires. Making bad decisions. Developing a God complex. Not taking responsibility. Breaking promises. Not holding coaches responsible to the same level he does players. That worries me. Blaming the youngest, least experienced guys on the team for his failures...really? Why do our team's issues need to be taken to the media to be solved, even if they are legitimate issues? Didn't we used to solve our issues in-house? We had at least one serious coaching issue this year. Saban resolved that issue but I didn't see him blasting that coach in the media. Why not?

Nobody has been a bigger Saban fan than me, up until this last season. However, publicly blasting players, repeatedly, is not something I can really support.

This is some serious bovine excrement.

 

[The Ols]

My point is that the mega-millionaires that have been in the game for decades should be getting the guys ready. The repeated, and quite shocking, public flogging of JB was obviously not very effective, so why go right back to blasting players in the media? Maybe what those guys need are skilled, imaginative, hard-nosed football coaches.

The one real weakness in the Saban process has ALWAYS been not having the backups ready. Was Mac Jones ready when we unexpectedly needed him? No. Was Mac a slacker? I don't think so. Was Mac worthy of being given the minutes, actually running the full offense with the first team, so that he would have been ready? Probably so. Who was ready when Scarborough went down a few years ago? And on and on... In most other areas when a problem surfaces, Saban fixes it. Developing the backups and staff continuity never get resolved. The problems with the young receivers was NOT a one-off situation.

The truth is if those guys were so uncoachable they should be gone. Why waste the scholarship? Just doesn't pass the common sense test. It sounds a lot more like deflection and making excuses.

I see CNS slipping. Making bad hires. Making bad decisions. Developing a God complex. Not taking responsibility. Breaking promises. Not holding coaches responsible to the same level he does players. That worries me. Blaming the youngest, least experienced guys on the team for his failures...really? Why do our team's issues need to be taken to the media to be solved, even if they are legitimate issues? Didn't we used to solve our issues in-house? We had at least one serious coaching issue this year. Saban resolved that issue but I didn't see him blasting that coach in the media. Why not?

Nobody has been a bigger Saban fan than me, up until this last season. However, publicly blasting players, repeatedly, is not something I can really support.

Then don’t…we’re all entitled to our opinion.
Enjoy Coach Harsin…

 

[formersoldier71]

 

[AlexanderFan]

My point is that the mega-millionaires that have been in the game for decades should be getting the guys ready. The repeated, and quite shocking, public flogging of JB was obviously not very effective, so why go right back to blasting players in the media? Maybe what those guys need are skilled, imaginative, hard-nosed football coaches.

The one real weakness in the Saban process has ALWAYS been not having the backups ready. Was Mac Jones ready when we unexpectedly needed him? No. Was Mac a slacker? I don't think so. Was Mac worthy of being given the minutes, actually running the full offense with the first team, so that he would have been ready? Probably so. Who was ready when Scarborough went down a few years ago? And on and on... In most other areas when a problem surfaces, Saban fixes it. Developing the backups and staff continuity never get resolved. The problems with the young receivers was NOT a one-off situation.

The truth is if those guys were so uncoachable they should be gone. Why waste the scholarship? Just doesn't pass the common sense test. It sounds a lot more like deflection and making excuses.

I see CNS slipping. Making bad hires. Making bad decisions. Developing a God complex. Not taking responsibility. Breaking promises. Not holding coaches responsible to the same level he does players. That worries me. Blaming the youngest, least experienced guys on the team for his failures...really? Why do our team's issues need to be taken to the media to be solved, even if they are legitimate issues? Didn't we used to solve our issues in-house? We had at least one serious coaching issue this year. Saban resolved that issue but I didn't see him blasting that coach in the media. Why not?

Nobody has been a bigger Saban fan than me, up until this last season. However, publicly blasting players, repeatedly, is not something I can really support.

Found Kirby’s old Tidefans account.

So slipping is SEC championship and runner up National Title game?

Bad hire is Heisman trophy winning quarterback, two first round receivers, and a back who played his way to a mid round draft pick?

Bad hire is a defensive coach who had a lapse in judgement, but is young and has shown flashes of brilliance?

If you’re such a fan of Saban you would know the Saban rehabilitation clinic also extends to players. It’s not a waste of a scholarship in his eyes if he turns a young man’s life around beyond football.

You would also know Saban has always used the media to send messages to his players. When he sends his messages he doesn’t single out players unless a reporter specifically asks about that player. He also took the time after the National Championship game to publicly thank his two young leaders on offense and defense. You conveniently left that part out.

All in all your post just cherry picks supposed criticisms of Saban in an attempt to show he’s “slipping.”

 

[92tide]

My point is that the mega-millionaires that have been in the game for decades should be getting the guys ready. The repeated, and quite shocking, public flogging of JB was obviously not very effective, so why go right back to blasting players in the media? Maybe what those guys need are skilled, imaginative, hard-nosed football coaches.

The one real weakness in the Saban process has ALWAYS been not having the backups ready. Was Mac Jones ready when we unexpectedly needed him? No. Was Mac a slacker? I don't think so. Was Mac worthy of being given the minutes, actually running the full offense with the first team, so that he would have been ready? Probably so. Who was ready when Scarborough went down a few years ago? And on and on... In most other areas when a problem surfaces, Saban fixes it. Developing the backups and staff continuity never get resolved. The problems with the young receivers was NOT a one-off situation.

The truth is if those guys were so uncoachable they should be gone. Why waste the scholarship? Just doesn't pass the common sense test. It sounds a lot more like deflection and making excuses.

I see CNS slipping. Making bad hires. Making bad decisions. Developing a God complex. Not taking responsibility. Breaking promises. Not holding coaches responsible to the same level he does players. That worries me. Blaming the youngest, least experienced guys on the team for his failures...really? Why do our team's issues need to be taken to the media to be solved, even if they are legitimate issues? Didn't we used to solve our issues in-house? We had at least one serious coaching issue this year. Saban resolved that issue but I didn't see him blasting that coach in the media. Why not?

Nobody has been a bigger Saban fan than me, up until this last season. However, publicly blasting players, repeatedly, is not something I can really support.

this has to be one of the more absurd posts i've ever read here. this past season was arguably one of the best coaching performances of saban's career.

during what should have been a re-building year after losing massive amounts of talent off of 2020's spectacular team, we had yet another heisman winner, won the sec championship, went 1-1 with the eventual champions (and our win over them was much more dominant than their win over us) and made it to the championship game for the 9th time since 2009

 

[AlexanderFan]

this has to be one of the more absurd posts i've ever read here. this past season was arguably one of the best coaching performances of saban's career.

during what should have been a re-building year after losing massive amounts of talent off of 2020's spectacular team, we had yet another heisman winner, won the sec championship, went 1-1 with the eventual champions (and our win over them was much more dominant than their win over us) and made it to the championship game for the 9th time since 2009

I could see this post coming less than ten days after the loss. The sting has subsided and looking back over our shoulders we should be able to honestly asses this season as a success, as an inhale season for a potentially loud screamer of a season next year with the junior superstars leading the way.

 

[Patton]

My point is that the mega-millionaires that have been in the game for decades should be getting the guys ready. The repeated, and quite shocking, public flogging of JB was obviously not very effective, so why go right back to blasting players in the media? Maybe what those guys need are skilled, imaginative, hard-nosed football coaches.

The one real weakness in the Saban process has ALWAYS been not having the backups ready. Was Mac Jones ready when we unexpectedly needed him? No. Was Mac a slacker? I don't think so. Was Mac worthy of being given the minutes, actually running the full offense with the first team, so that he would have been ready? Probably so. Who was ready when Scarborough went down a few years ago? And on and on... In most other areas when a problem surfaces, Saban fixes it. Developing the backups and staff continuity never get resolved. The problems with the young receivers was NOT a one-off situation.

The truth is if those guys were so uncoachable they should be gone. Why waste the scholarship? Just doesn't pass the common sense test. It sounds a lot more like deflection and making excuses.

I see CNS slipping. Making bad hires. Making bad decisions. Developing a God complex. Not taking responsibility. Breaking promises. Not holding coaches responsible to the same level he does players. That worries me. Blaming the youngest, least experienced guys on the team for his failures...really? Why do our team's issues need to be taken to the media to be solved, even if they are legitimate issues? Didn't we used to solve our issues in-house? We had at least one serious coaching issue this year. Saban resolved that issue but I didn't see him blasting that coach in the media. Why not?

Nobody has been a bigger Saban fan than me, up until this last season. However, publicly blasting players, repeatedly, is not something I can really support.

I agree with you partially about 1 thing,and that is maybe it could be better IF CNS got more guys in the ballgame and for longer times in Mop up time.Maybe it would be. But I am not there.Maybe he doesnt put them in because he feels they havent earned time yet or deserve it based on their day-to day activities as a TIDE Student/Athlete.I dont know and neither do you.

As far as how Coach and his staff Coach his players up and attempt to motivate them?Come on now!!His way HAS been pretty effective as you must admit.Who were the bad hires? If you are referring to Coaches Marrone and BOB?....I wouldnt go there if I were you.Have you seen their resume's?..lol...Plus he has just made 4 tremendous Position Coach Hires and 2 Anaylists who are also outstanding football guys.

And if you are saying that Mac wasnt ready to play you must have been watching a different team than me.From the Tenn game,on through the next 5 games that he either started or played the majority of the snaps? Mac was 83/120 (69%)...for 1338 yds and 11 Yds Per Attempt!!...13 Tds and 2 Pics. And Of course those 2 Pics were big. But it had ZILCH to do with him being unprepared.And losing Bo did hurt in 2016. But we still had 3 guys lugging that ball around who combined for 2557yds in JHurts,Jacobs,and DHarris,and Jacobs and Harris were plenty capable after Bo's injury in that game.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I agree with you partially about 1 thing,and that is maybe it could be better IF CNS got more guys in the ballgame and for longer times in Mop up time.Maybe it would be. But I am not there.Maybe he doesnt put them in because he feels they havent earned time yet or deserve it based on their day-to day activities as a TIDE Student/Athlete.I dont know and neither do you.

As far as how Coach and his staff Coach his players up and attempt to motivate them?Come on now!!His way HAS been pretty effective as you must admit.Who were the bad hires? If you are referring to Coaches Marrone and BOB?....I wouldnt go there if I were you.Have you seen their resume's?..lol...Plus he has just made 4 tremendous Position Coach Hires and 2 Anaylists who are also outstanding football guys.

And if you are saying that Mac wasnt ready to play you must have been watching a different team than me.From the Tenn game,on through the next 5 games that he either started or played the majority of the snaps? Mac was 83/120 (69%)...for 1338 yds and 11 Yds Per Attempt!!...13 Tds and 2 Pics. And Of course those 2 Pics were big. But it had ZILCH to do with him being unprepared.And losing Bo did hurt in 2016. But we still had 3 guys lugging that ball around who combined for 2557yds in JHurts,Jacobs,and DHarris,and Jacobs and Harris were plenty capable after Bo's injury in that game.

He has done this before. Young guys that do the right things get meaningful playing time. Saban just stuck to his guns this year. You can argue if his decision to demand excellence, or the young guy’s decision to not strive for excellence, cost us the title game, but one of those decisions was made by a man comfortable in his position of creating good men out of football players.

 

[Patton]

He has done this before. Young guys that do the right things get meaningful playing time. Saban just stuck to his guns this year. You can argue if his decision to demand excellence, or the young guy’s decision to not strive for excellence, cost us the title game, but one of those decisions was made by a man comfortable in his position of creating good men out of football players.

Sure he is.And he should be. Coach Saban has done a helluva job.I believe that IF The Tide would have had a healthy John Metchie and a healthy Jamo for the entire rematch?...Alabama would be the 2021 College Football National Champions.NOBODY will change my mind about that. I could be wrong. I dont think so. But the fact is they didnt.And I doubt that I am wrong.Not making excuses. Injuries are a huge part of every outfit's season. Alabama fans know this very well. It is how it shook out,but I hate to see exciting and productive guys and leaders get injured in non-contact situations.

The thing is there was going to be a drop-off in talent,experience,and production going into the Ring game without John Metchie.He is as underrated at WR as any player I can remember,and will be a really good NFL WR without question. It was now on the youngsters. No matter what Brooks had done all season in preparation,buying in,and maturity.Or Holden. Or Agiye. Or JoJr Leary. Or whomever the hell else they would have run out there.They expected these young men to be a certain way.To practice and play a certain way. Now we will find out if they are the caliber of what Fans are used to at this place.And THAT will be very difficult to accomplish for sure to measure up to that.And when Jamo couldnt go in the 2nd half? Well....Then preparation and maturity may have bumped heads....Now we shall see...

 

[crimsonaudio]

I see CNS slipping.

Yeah, winning the NC in 2020 and being one quarter away from repeating in 2021 shows how far he's fallen.

I'll be 100% honest here - you sound ridiculous.

 

[PA Tide Fan]

Saban is not slipping simply because there were a few guys he could not motivate. When a coach recruits a lot of 4 and 5 star players he's getting guys that are accustomed to playing every game and being the stars of their HS team so it's very hard to predict in advance how these guys are going to react when they are suddenly not starting. There are many coaches with unhappy players and the NCAA Portal certainly proves that. I'm sure Saban tried to push the right buttons with these guys that usually work for most players but for whatever reason failed in this case. Before I'd say Saban is slipping however I'd have to see us fail to win the SEC for a couple of years and drop out of the Top 5 in recruiting.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

We've got one of two things going on here:

1. You have zero idea of how the dynamic between a coach and player functions and have grossly oversimplified it.

2. You're a troll

My point is that the mega-millionaires that have been in the game for decades should be getting the guys ready. The repeated, and quite shocking, public flogging of JB was obviously not very effective, so why go right back to blasting players in the media? Maybe what those guys need are skilled, imaginative, hard-nosed football coaches.

The one real weakness in the Saban process has ALWAYS been not having the backups ready. Was Mac Jones ready when we unexpectedly needed him? No. Was Mac a slacker? I don't think so. Was Mac worthy of being given the minutes, actually running the full offense with the first team, so that he would have been ready? Probably so. Who was ready when Scarborough went down a few years ago? And on and on... In most other areas when a problem surfaces, Saban fixes it. Developing the backups and staff continuity never get resolved. The problems with the young receivers was NOT a one-off situation.

The truth is if those guys were so uncoachable they should be gone. Why waste the scholarship? Just doesn't pass the common sense test. It sounds a lot more like deflection and making excuses.

I see CNS slipping. Making bad hires. Making bad decisions. Developing a God complex. Not taking responsibility. Breaking promises. Not holding coaches responsible to the same level he does players. That worries me. Blaming the youngest, least experienced guys on the team for his failures...really? Why do our team's issues need to be taken to the media to be solved, even if they are legitimate issues? Didn't we used to solve our issues in-house? We had at least one serious coaching issue this year. Saban resolved that issue but I didn't see him blasting that coach in the media. Why not?

Nobody has been a bigger Saban fan than me, up until this last season. However, publicly blasting players, repeatedly, is not something I can really support.

 

[Bama9001]

You know, the constructive analysis that you guys provide is mostly right. I don't even have a problem with how Saban (within the team) handles any particular player...he's the coach. I DO think we do a poor job of having our backups ready and I DO think that the public floggings in the media are counter-productive. Until this year I always thought Saban considered that approach counter-productive. Something changed this year and the signs worry me.

Please let me know if you think the Billingsley situation turned out OK. And yes, I do think we could have had those young receivers better prepared.

To respond to one poster, I like CBOB. None of this was directed at him. I hope he stays and I'm excited to see how his offense performs once we have some skilled TEs on board. At this moment, I see CBOB as a real candidate to replace CNS when that time comes. He's not my first choice but definitely in my top 5 somewhere (Kiffin, CBOB, Dabo, Kirby, Aranda). Probably some other names but still think CBOB would be in the top 5.

 

[The Ols]

You know, the constructive analysis that you guys provide is mostly right. I don't even have a problem with how Saban (within the team) handles any particular player...he's the coach. I DO think we do a poor job of having our backups ready and I DO think that the public floggings in the media are counter-productive. Until this year I always thought Saban considered that approach counter-productive. Something changed this year and the signs worry me.

Please let me know if you think the Billingsley situation turned out OK. And yes, I do think we could have had those young receivers better prepared.

To respond to one poster, I like CBOB. None of this was directed at him. I hope he stays and I'm excited to see how his offense performs once we have some skilled TEs on board. At this moment, I see CBOB as a real candidate to replace CNS when that time comes. He's not my first choice but definitely in my top 5 somewhere (Kiffin, CBOB, Dabo, Kirby, Aranda). Probably some other names but still think CBOB would be in the top 5.

Some of that's OK...Some of that's straight up Norman Bates stuff....

 

[tlockwood]

Whenever I think of letting the back ups in the game I am painfully reminded of losing Prothro in a game we were dominating and Shula could have played some of the 2s and let the 1s rest a little. That's not a slam on Saban. I trust him completely. He is THE coach and he has brought back the pride in Bama football. I am forever grateful!!!!

 

[PA Tide Fan]

Whenever I think of letting the back ups in the game I am painfully reminded of losing Prothro in a game we were dominating and Shula could have played some of the 2s and let the 1s rest a little. That's not a slam on Saban. I trust him completely. He is THE coach and he has brought back the pride in Bama football. I am forever grateful!!!!

Part of the problem Saban has and perhaps one reason he lets starters in the game a long time is the fact that Alabama has so many future NFL players on the team that one has to wonder how these guys would react to being pulled often from games to get experience for the younger guys. It's tough to see how Saban could frequently go to elite players and say "Man, you're playing great but we need to get some action for the newer guys." I'm not saying all starters are selfish but I can't blame a starter either for maybe getting a bit upset if he's a potential 1st round pick or making a run at a Heisman because they're always looking to improve their stats to make as much $ as possible come NFL draft time.

 

[Cruloc]

Boy, I go on hiatus for a while and come back to....."I think Saban is slipping."

Maybe I should go back on hiatus.

 

[TiderJack]

Our society has obviously become so wallflowerish that a coach can not "motivate" young people to get better and push themselves in a public forum while not mentioning a player specifically, only a position group. Seems I hear coaches at many other schools on a weekly basis call out certain position groups when they have bad games but somehow when the GOAT does it a few weeks after a NC game at a Tide Pride meeting or whatever it was one of our own and some others in the press want to say he is throwing them under the bus. I somewhat understand the press doing it since it is the off-season and they are having to find something to talk or write about. Constructive criticism obviously no longer exists.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

Please, show me a team that has all backups game ready at all times. Over Saban's tenure, there have been plenty of backups that made huge impacts when given a chance. Saying otherwise is just fake news.

Saban slipping? Are we that spoiled as a fan base? Since 2008, his teams have been in the running for a national title late into every season except 2010. If that is slipping, then, please, can he keep slipping this badly for the next 14 years.

 

[PA Tide Fan]

Article from 2019:

Alabama Football: Refuting claims Nick Saban is slipping

There are frequent claims the reign of Nick Saban as the game's King is waning. Signs of Nick slipping below being the GOAT are being misread. Outside of t...

bamahammer.com