VIDEO: Nick Saban Calls Out Student Support During Press Conference
Nick Saban has been trying to send the message each week that he wants to see the fans show up to support his team at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but he drove that point home loud and clear on Wednesday.
The head coach held his final press conference of the week before Alabama heads to Arkansas and he used a question about students supporting Tua Tagovailoa with Hawaiian clothing and used it to call them out for an overall lack of team support.
"I can honestly say that I was a little disappointed that there weren't more students at the last game," Saban said. "I think we're trying to address that. I don't think they're entitled to anything either. And me personally, I think it ought to be first come, first serve and if they don't want to come to the games they don't have to come. But I'm sure there's enough people around here that like to go to the games and we'd like for them to come too because they support the players."
The rant picked up steam there and continued.
"When I first came here, they used to play that Traditions (video) up there and everybody was cheering and excited and happy and there was great spirit. Now they don't even cheer. When they introduce our players, nobody even cheers."
After he finished up with the students, Saban explained that the players put in too much time and effort everyday to not get that effort reciprocated by the fans.
"Our players work too hard and they deserve to have everything and people supporting them in every way and have tremendous spirit for what they've done.
Here's what else Saban discussed on Wednesday:
- Daniel Wright is out for violating team rules.
- His thoughts on the defense and what it needs to improve on because he doesn't think the stats tell the whole story.
- With Jonah Williams a little banged up, what options does Alabama have along the offensive line.
- How the staff teaches the young players and gets them prepared to play quickly within the complex defense.
You can hear everything Saban said in the video at the top of the page.