It’s getting late in October and Alabama’s struggling on the football field.
Dropping two of its last three games, the Crimson Tide’s AP poll ranking fell to its lowest point in 14 years. Frustration is visible.
But there won’t be any public criticism coming from former coach Nick Saban, not even in his new role as an ESPN analyst.
Before speaking at the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in Birmingham, Saban on Monday was asked about what he sees from the Alabama season from an analyst’s perspective.
“I don’t really analyze Alabama,” Saban said. “I never take the lead. I’m a fan now. So I think the message that I would to everybody is the most important thing that all of us can do as fans for Alabama is to be supportive and support the program, support the players, support the coaches. That will enhance us to be able to have the best solution in transition, because it’s always a difficult transition.
“We have a fairly successful program. Somebody else comes in and it’s very challenging. And also, I’ve been very supportive of the players, the coaches, the team, the university in every way that I can. And I want to continue to do that, and I would encourage others to do the same thing.”
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Saban’s also still an employee of the University of Alabama.
After retiring as head football coach, Saban was retained in an advisory role and he still has an office on campus. He’s getting an annual salary of $500,000 (or $41,666 a month, down from $858,716 monthly as the coach) from the university on top of his undisclosed salary from ESPN.
Asked Monday if the 5-2 Alabama team living up to the standard, Saban punted.
“I don’t think that’s for me to judge,” Saban said. “I know everybody’s giving their best effort to do the best they can. I would just encourage everybody to stay focused on playing to the standard — not my standard — but the standard that their team has established. And I’m sure the players want to do that. I’m sure the coaches want to do that.”
After beating No. 2 Georgia on Sept. 28, Alabama’s dropped games to Vanderbilt and Tennessee while surviving a scare from South Carolina.
Penalties are an issue (just as they were late in the Saban era). Turnovers are another.
What was working in September is sputtering in October.
And the locals are growing frustrated.
Saban’s advice to Kalen DeBoer isn’t overly complicated given all those factors.
“Just stay focused on what you have to do to try to make a team better,” Saban said. “So look, I’m not going to get in a position to judge anybody. I’m a fan now, so I want the team to do well and I want our fans to support the team the best they can.”
Alabama remains in the hunt for a College Football Playoff bid with a win over No. 2 Georgia and five regular-season games remaining. It faces No. 21 Missouri at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Tuscaloosa with all eyes on a Nov. 9 trip to LSU as the biggest test to Alabama’s postseason hopes.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
