Rewinding what Nick Saban said at SEC Media Days - AL.com

Nick Saban addressed the media Wednesday at SEC Media Days in Hoover.

Here is a summary of what he said:

— Saban said the most important thing this offseason was reestablishing the mindset that the team is the priority, reiterating what he said in previous months about prioritizing the “Alabama Factor.”

— Saban said he is very pleased with the new additions to the coaching staff but added that continuity is important as far as establishing relationships with the players.

— Saban asserted that Alabama doesn’t change systems despite the fact that the Tide is introducing two new coordinators, Steve Sarkisian on offense and Pete Golding on defense.

— Saban called Jeff Banks one of the special teams coaches in the nation.

— Saban said backup quarterback Mac Jones has made some progress in tamping down his emotions and playing with an even-keeled approach.

— Saban said Alabama didn’t play with the same level of discipline at the end of last season and added that there were a lot of distractions that surfaced before the national championship loss to Clemson.

— Saban said there is no question Tua Tagovailoa can improve. He added that the quarterback needs to know “when to say when,” speaking to his decision-making ability and tendency to make risky throws.

— Saban said Alabama has several options at return specialist, including Jaylen Waddle and Henry Ruggs III. But no determination has been made about which player will handle those duties.

— Saban said there may be a committee of players at Will linebacker and that redshirt senior Josh McMillon will be included in that group.

— Addressing the transfer portal, Saban said the NCAA has gotten liberal with waiver requests, which is creating what he termed, “free agency,” in college football.

— Saban called Duke coach David Cutcliffe one of the best offensive minds in the game. “I don’t know anybody who has done a better job with a program than he has done at Duke,” Saban said. Alabama plays Duke in the season opener Aug. 31 in Atlanta.

— Saban said he doesn’t know the secret to his success, saying that hard work has been a component of it and that he has benefited from having really good people in his organization.

— Asked if he is hard to work for, Saban threw some shade at his former employees, saying they copy what he does at their next jobs. Saban said you have to make a decision about whether you want to do right or make people happy. Saban said he wants it done right.

— Saban said safeties coach Charles Kelly has great relationships with high school coaches in Alabama and gets along great with the players.

— Saban said cornerback Josh Jobe is a potential starter and a guy who played in a way throughout the spring that shows he can be successful.

— Saban said Alabama hasn’t been active courting undergraduate transfers. Alabama wants players who can immediately help — whether they come from junior college or another program where they have already earned a degree.

Rainer Sabin is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @RainerSabin

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https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2019/07/live-updates-nick-saban-previews-alabama-at-sec-media-days.html

2019-07-17 14:35:00Z
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