The media freakout about Nick Saban's postgame field interview with Maria Taylor

[PA Tide Fan]

Is there a video? I’d like to see it if so.

I couldn't find a video but here's the article:
https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2018/09/nick_saban_honored_by_alabama.html

 

[CajunCrimson]

Listening to ESPNU on Sirius yesterday. I literally heard Neuheisel compare the Saban situation to Urban Meyer. We have finally jumped the shark in our society if we in any way equate those two events. We just need to push the red button and start over.

 

[CrimsonProf]

I've cooled down on the interview. Coach knows he was out of line, and he apologized. I'm fine to move on from this.

What I found disconcerting was the reflexive defense of Saban from our fanbase, and the accusation that the media was stirring this up. Saban could have publicly handled this much, much better than he has, and it's left a lot of us wondering if he's going to continue to allow Hurts to play when all evidence suggests he should not. The media is covering this because it is a national story - this isn't just some local Bama deal that only Travis Reier and Cecil Hurt will discuss. Maria Taylor asked her questions for the national audience that does not read TideFans or Bama Online, doesn't listen to JOX and doesn't follow our reporters on social media.

I am concerned that the constant demonization of the media - and the failure to distinguish between, say, Finebaum, Maria Taylor, Bruce Feldman, and Danny Kannell - is a real problem. I worry that one day we will be faced with a real problem in our program, but as a fanbase we'll refuse to believe it because DER MEDIURGGGGH is just "out for blood" or whatever. We've made these mistakes in the past, and if we can't call Coach to account for just being a grump on national television, then I fear we won't call him or any other coach to account when there's rot in the program that needs to be removed. We're good now, but we won't always be.

I fear we've got an attitude of "my football team, right or wrong," which is a lot like Chesterton's quip about "my mother, drunk or sober."

 

[UAH]

I've cooled down on the interview. Coach knows he was out of line, and he apologized. I'm fine to move on from this.

What I found disconcerting was the reflexive defense of Saban from our fanbase, and the accusation that the media was stirring this up. Saban could have publicly handled this much, much better than he has, and it's left a lot of us wondering if he's going to continue to allow Hurts to play when all evidence suggests he should not. The media is covering this because it is a national story - this isn't just some local Bama deal that only Travis Reier and Cecil Hurt will discuss. Maria Taylor asked her questions for the national audience that does not read TideFans or Bama Online, doesn't listen to JOX and doesn't follow our reporters on social media.

I am concerned that the constant demonization of the media - and the failure to distinguish between, say, Finebaum, Maria Taylor, Bruce Feldman, and Danny Kannell - is a real problem. I worry that one day we will be faced with a real problem in our program, but as a fanbase we'll refuse to believe it because DER MEDIURGGGGH is just "out for blood" or whatever. We've made these mistakes in the past, and if we can't call Coach to account for just being a grump on national television, then I fear we won't call him or any other coach to account when there's rot in the program that needs to be removed. We're good now, but we won't always be.

I fear we've got an attitude of "my football team, right or wrong," which is a lot like Chesterton's quip about "my mother, drunk or sober."

Very well said. I absolutely agree with you!

 

[81usaf92]

I've cooled down on the interview. Coach knows he was out of line, and he apologized. I'm fine to move on from this.

What I found disconcerting was the reflexive defense of Saban from our fanbase, and the accusation that the media was stirring this up. Saban could have publicly handled this much, much better than he has, and it's left a lot of us wondering if he's going to continue to allow Hurts to play when all evidence suggests he should not. The media is covering this because it is a national story - this isn't just some local Bama deal that only Travis Reier and Cecil Hurt will discuss. Maria Taylor asked her questions for the national audience that does not read TideFans or Bama Online, doesn't listen to JOX and doesn't follow our reporters on social media.

I am concerned that the constant demonization of the media - and the failure to distinguish between, say, Finebaum, Maria Taylor, Bruce Feldman, and Danny Kannell - is a real problem. I worry that one day we will be faced with a real problem in our program, but as a fanbase we'll refuse to believe it because DER MEDIURGGGGH is just "out for blood" or whatever. We've made these mistakes in the past, and if we can't call Coach to account for just being a grump on national television, then I fear we won't call him or any other coach to account when there's rot in the program that needs to be removed. We're good now, but we won't always be.

I fear we've got an attitude of "my football team, right or wrong," which is a lot like Chesterton's quip about "my mother, drunk or sober."

Was CNS out of line?

Yes, no, maybe. This was hardly the worst outburst against reporters and it wasn’t a personal attack. Belichick and Popovich are much worse with the media and get less flak about it.

Can we distinguish between shock jocks and reporters?

Yes, but it is clearly the shock jocks driving this issue, and not real reporters. And they are making far more about this than what it actually was.

Will Bama fans turn on the media in times of trouble?

I think you already know the answer if you paid attention to the 90’s. If tOSU fans did then you know Bama fans will too.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I've cooled down on the interview. Coach knows he was out of line, and he apologized. I'm fine to move on from this.

What I found disconcerting was the reflexive defense of Saban from our fanbase, and the accusation that the media was stirring this up. Saban could have publicly handled this much, much better than he has, and it's left a lot of us wondering if he's going to continue to allow Hurts to play when all evidence suggests he should not. The media is covering this because it is a national story - this isn't just some local Bama deal that only Travis Reier and Cecil Hurt will discuss. Maria Taylor asked her questions for the national audience that does not read TideFans or Bama Online, doesn't listen to JOX and doesn't follow our reporters on social media.

I am concerned that the constant demonization of the media - and the failure to distinguish between, say, Finebaum, Maria Taylor, Bruce Feldman, and Danny Kannell - is a real problem. I worry that one day we will be faced with a real problem in our program, but as a fanbase we'll refuse to believe it because DER MEDIURGGGGH is just "out for blood" or whatever. We've made these mistakes in the past, and if we can't call Coach to account for just being a grump on national television, then I fear we won't call him or any other coach to account when there's rot in the program that needs to be removed. We're good now, but we won't always be.

I fear we've got an attitude of "my football team, right or wrong," which is a lot like Chesterton's quip about "my mother, drunk or sober."

We are witnessing the end of several "institutions" in this country. 20 years from now, I truly believe that football (as we know it) will be reduced to very little. I believe that Coach Saban is trying to control the program the way he did 10 years ago. It's much bigger now. MUCH bigger now.

I think he is trying to secure the team's psyche -- and I believe his comments were made, in that tone, to preserve the Union (so to speak). I do believe he wants the kids to feel that he has their back, no matter what. To that end, I think he handled this superbly. He walks away looking:

1. He loves his kids
2. He hates the media
3. He apologized for his actions, out of love for the kids.....

Those that hated him before still do. Those that loved him before still do. And those that made a mountain out of a mole hill - still do.

If his behavior upset you, I have no problem saying.....I think you overreacted.

He's paid to do a job....and he's doing it.

I think it won't be long before people will call for his job -- because he's a grumpy old man.... and how sad will that day be?

Remember - he didn't punch a player, he didn't hire a call girl, he didn't cover up a scandal, he didn't wreck a motorcycle, he didn't call her a name, he didn't kill a kid by working him to death.....

He had the wrong tone.....that's it, plain and simple

 

[RTR91]

Listening to ESPNU on Sirius yesterday. I literally heard Neuheisel compare the Saban situation to Urban Meyer. We have finally jumped the shark in our society if we in any way equate those two events. We just need to push the red button and start over.

Depending on how Neuheisel made the comparison, I can see it.

People (here and in the media) went after Urban for not being prepared for the Courtney Smith at the press conference wondering how he could not be ready for the most obvious question.

For months, Saban has been asked about the QBs. He gets the most expected question after the first game, and he didn't properly handle it.

In that small regard, I can see a comparison. There's not another comparison past that, though.

 

[Rama Jama]

I've cooled down on the interview. Coach knows he was out of line, and he apologized. I'm fine to move on from this.

What I found disconcerting was the reflexive defense of Saban from our fanbase, and the accusation that the media was stirring this up. Saban could have publicly handled this much, much better than he has, and it's left a lot of us wondering if he's going to continue to allow Hurts to play when all evidence suggests he should not. The media is covering this because it is a national story - this isn't just some local Bama deal that only Travis Reier and Cecil Hurt will discuss. Maria Taylor asked her questions for the national audience that does not read TideFans or Bama Online, doesn't listen to JOX and doesn't follow our reporters on social media.

I am concerned that the constant demonization of the media - and the failure to distinguish between, say, Finebaum, Maria Taylor, Bruce Feldman, and Danny Kannell - is a real problem. I worry that one day we will be faced with a real problem in our program, but as a fanbase we'll refuse to believe it because DER MEDIURGGGGH is just "out for blood" or whatever. We've made these mistakes in the past, and if we can't call Coach to account for just being a grump on national television, then I fear we won't call him or any other coach to account when there's rot in the program that needs to be removed. We're good now, but we won't always be.

I fear we've got an attitude of "my football team, right or wrong," which is a lot like Chesterton's quip about "my mother, drunk or sober."

I agree and disagree. My wife said that had the sideline reported been a male, it would have not even been an issue, and to an extent she was right. I do think our fan base would defend Saban right or wrong. When someone has attained the level of success he and the University have, they will demonized regardless of whether there is any validity to it or not. At some point, national perception matters because it matters to recruits who choose a school. Many think that they can get to the NFL with almost any school. Athletes and teams have more exposure than ever on TV, but Alabama clearly is in the spotlight.

I think this is a totally different issue than the Urban Meyer domestic violence problem. Coach Saban is prone to give guys 2nd chances, but I seriously doubt he'd ever tolerate the behavior Meyer in the very least enabled. In the end with the reactive social media environment we live in , perception matters.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Depending on how Neuheisel made the comparison, I can see it.

People (here and in the media) went after Urban for not being prepared for the Courtney Smith at the press conference wondering how he could not be ready for the most obvious question.

For months, Saban has been asked about the QBs. He gets the most expected question after the first game, and he didn't properly handle it.

In that small regard, I can see a comparison. There's not another comparison past that, though.

You don't think he was prepared? I think his response was intentional.

 

[KrAzY3]

What I found disconcerting was the reflexive defense of Saban from our fanbase, and the accusation that the media was stirring this up. Saban could have publicly handled this much, much better than he has, and it's left a lot of us wondering if he's going to continue to allow Hurts to play when all evidence suggests he should not.

Why wouldn't we defend Saban? He said stop asking a question, big deal. What I find odd were people getting all worked up over him saying litterally "quit asking". Like oh my, how on earth can we get up in the morning knowing Nick Saban told someone to quit asking a question they kept asking. People are going to need counseling over this one for sure.

Sounds to me like people were bringing their own issues into the discussion.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Saban could have handled it better but by the time I actually saw the video of the interview I was shocked that it wasn't much worse. I don't think it was nearly as bad as some made it out to be.

That said, I'm glad he apologized because he needed to. It was the right thing to do.

 

[RTR91]

You don't think he was prepared? I think his response was intentional.

Maybe it was intentional. His delivery wasn't very good, which is understandable when you consider his explanation Monday.

Saban could have handled it better but by the time I actually saw the video of the interview I was shocked that it wasn't much worse. I don't think it was nearly as bad as some made it out to be.

That said, I'm glad he apologized because he needed to. It was the right thing to do.

I will say the overall reaction from the national media was over the top. They made it much worse than it really was.

 

[Tideflyer]

Saban could have handled it better but by the time I actually saw the video of the interview I was shocked that it wasn't much worse. I don't think it was nearly as bad as some made it out to be.

That said, I'm glad he apologized because he needed to. It was the right thing to do.

Yes, it was. Having said that, I watched his Monday presser. He seemed rather subdued. He struck me as being absolutely sick to death of having to address this issue but the press....absolutely......will not.....leave it alone....even though it`s now clear who is the starter.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Maybe it was intentional. His delivery wasn't very good, which is understandable when you consider his explanation Monday.


I will say the overall reaction from the national media was over the top. They made it much worse than it really was.

Paul Finebaum rarely says anything worth noting. But Monday when all the hoopla about the post game interview was in full swing by every sports talk show on the planet. Paul Finebaum made a comment that I think is worth noting. He said if that would have been him who Saban went off on, everyone would have laughed and this wouldn't have been anything. I think that is worth noting because later I also heard Finebaum answer "No" to the question of if Saban would have done that to Tom Luginbil would it have been this big of an issue.

 

[irNate]

Maybe I'm crazy, but some of that sounds really good to me. Coaches might get paid realistic salaries, ticket prices might return to a level the common man could afford on occasion, and all games might return to being played at 1:30 on Saturday afternoons. And all that need happen is for coaches to stop doing pregame, halftime, and postgame interviews where we don't learn anything? I'm good with all that.

Ticket prices are based on demand, with a 10 year waiting list on the best run of any time ever... they aren't going down in price anytime soon regardless. Especially if there is no TV

1:30pm games are HORRIBLE its hot, its humid, when there is no cloud cover you get sunburnt and dehydrated.

 

[Pilot172000]

The general consensus around here in Tigger country is first to take a jab about Saban being grumpy then fully admit that they agree with how Saban had handled it.

 

[RammerJammer15]

ESPN is STILL talking about this, Finebaum is in an uproar because he said her name wrong. Really?

 

[Jessica4Bama]

I think the freak out just personifies what our nation has become. Everyone has to get offended at something even if that something is as ridiculous as CNS using a tone some people didn’t like. Me thinks it wouldn’t have been a big deal if it wasn’t a woman asking the question. JMO

He apologized. End of story.

 

[CajunCrimson]

Had he said the exact same words but in a pleading way. "I don't want to disrespect my players. So please quit asking the question. Because I'm simply not going to Answer it". But smiling. No one would have cared. This is all about his tone. That's what annoys me.

 

[UntouchableCrew]

Saban acted like a rude jerk and deserved to be castigated in the media for it. Maria Taylor deserved the apology.