The University of Alabama is the most prestigious college football program in the nation led by head coach Nick Saban. With that comes extensive media coverage at all times. However, Saban seems to be wary of the local media after years of working with them.
Saban hosted a press conference earlier this week and prefaced it by taking a jab at the local media for worrying too much about the release of the team’s depth chart before the beginning of the season:
Alabama not releasing a depth chart today. Nick Saban explains why pic.twitter.com/iwh3yPteiu
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) August 28, 2023
“I know your number one focus is not on the game, it’s on the depth chart,” Saban said to reporters. As a result, Saban has decided that Alabama would not be releasing their depth chart before the season-opening game when they host Middle Tennessee.
“Creates a lot of distractions on our team. Creates a lot of guys thinking, ‘Well this guy won the job now and I’m not going to play or whatever,’” Saban added. He wants his players to remain focused on their jobs and not get caught up with designations and their place on the depth chart.
Some people have not taken too kindly to the way Saban addressed the media in his comments, including American sports personalities such as Paul Finebaum and Tim Brando.
On the Matt Barrie Show, Finebaum said: “Don’t bully people ’cause you can. Saban has made a career at Alabama and maybe elsewhere off bullying those who are weaker than him and don’t have the ability…”
Brando took to social media to personally express his concerns with Saban’s comments and decision to not release a depth chart:
Nick Saban’s not delivering a Depth Chart is beneath him, despite likely giving the guys calling the game some semblance of lineups. He should be above that but clearly these days he’s not in the best of moods. I got in some trouble a few years ago condemning @CoachJim4UM, and…
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) August 28, 2023
Brando asked, “Why bully the local media?” It remains unclear if Saban will address the public backlash from his recent press conference.
