Southeastern Conference Football Media Days Wednesday July 18, 2018 Nick Saban Alabama those coaches have done a very good job of buying NICK SABAN: Happy to be here. I hope everybody's into the things that we want to do and how we want to saying that. Glad to be here. That's what we should all do them. The new energy and enthusiasm and ideas say. that they brought to the organization I think are going to be a long-term positive. But I hope everyone here had a great summer. This is my 17th SEC Media Day, 12th at Alabama. Always I think this is also one of the better recruiting staffs that something that I look forward to, and it always signals we've had, and I think that's going to be beneficial for the start, to me, of the college football season, which is us in the future as well. always very exciting. This year's team, we lost a lot of really good football You know, it means that practice is right around the players, especially on defense. We had ten guys sign corner. August 2nd reporting date for us, August 3rd NFL contracts. So there's going to be a lot of starts practice. And the home opener is not far away, opportunity for a lot of young players at every position. and this year, our home opener is to play Louisville in We've got a few guys coming back up front, we've got a the Camping World Kickoff classic in Orlando. few linebackers coming back, but we still have a lot of opportunity for a lot of young players, especially in the We've had a very productive offseason as a team. We secondary, where we lost the most players. continue to try to create value for our players, not only on the football field, but in personal development, to So a lot of the questions that you're going to ask me help players make better choices and decisions so they about these young players and how they develop, they have a better chance to be successful in life, in our are all things that are yet to be determined. They're Academic Support Program, which has a history of still going to be determined in the future in terms of success in terms of being one of the nationally ranked how they develop over the rest of the summer, how graduation rate APR also in the SEC, and also trying to they do in fall camp, and when they develop the develop careers for our players on and off the field, maturity to go out and play winning football for us. which on the field we've been very successful. Off the field we've been very successful. Offense, we have more experience returning, more experienced players returning, four, five starters in the But to have 12 players drafted this year, 77 players offensive line, both tight ends. We lost some receivers. drafted in the last ten years, 26 first round draft picks I Calvin Ridley was one of our great receivers in the think is something that we're very proud of in terms of history of our program. But we have some very the quality of player that we're able to attract in talented guys at that position. We've got a nice group recruiting, the value that we create for them there in of running backs. terms of their development, and the success that they have when they leave. And I think the number one thing that you will want to talk about is the quarterback controversy that you'd I think you all know that we've had a tremendous love to create, that you've already created, that you will amount of staff change this year. We've had a lot of continue to create, and I will tell you the same thing great coaches who have gone on and done a very exists there. It's still to be determined as to who is good job with the opportunities that they've created by going to play quarterback for Alabama. So you can helping us have success at Alabama. I'm very proud of ask all of the questions about it, but it's still to be what they're all doing in the programs that they have. determined.

And with six new coaches this year, a new offensive Tua basically missed spring practice due to an injury. coordinator, new defensive coordinator, new special Jalen had a good spring. Both guys had great teams coordinator, I am really pleased with the summers, and we'll just have to see who wins the team transition, how the players have sort of responded from in fall camp. So, we'll see. relationship standpoint with all of those coaches, how

Rev #1 by #206 at 2018-07-18 18:17:00 GMT page 1 of 6 So, some of your questions, when you ask me about going to go anyplace, and I'm going to try to have that, I'm going to say: We'll see. So don't get mad at another great year and see what happens. me. So, you know, basically we're excited to have those All right. On special teams, we're going have a new players back. Their leadership has been instrumental punter, a new kicker, a new coach. So, we have a lot of in our success, and we're very pleased with the new guys that are very capable of being good special teams coaches that we have. But there's a lot of things to be players, but this will be a work in progress and we'll see determined between now and the first game and now how all of that develops as well. into the season progressing as to where this team can go. So the personality of our team. The players are going to be committed to creating the kind of identity we need I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for this team. Forget about what happened last year. in the media who I think does a great job of creating a There's no looking back at that. It's what we're going lot of positive self-gratification by the attention you give, to do moving forward. Are we going to have the a lot of our student-athletes as well as our program, leadership that we need to have a very good team, and and I think that interest that you create with fans is are we going to have the personnel developed to fill essential, you know, to the continued success of some of the holes that were created by players moving college football. So thank you very much. to the next level, players' graduation, and a lot of these things have not taken shape yet. So it's a work in Q. Steve Spurrier is the only coach in SEC history progress. It's not been determined how that's all going to coach at age 70. Do you think you might to work out for us. become the next one, or do you ever think about the length of your career? Is that something you So we have a lot of young players who have the leave up to Ms. Terry and let her think about it? opportunity to step up. Some of them very talented. NICK SABAN: I'm sorry, I heard the Steve Spurrier part But how well we do that, how the older players on the -- team assume their new role of leadership, all of these things will determine how fast we get to where we need Q. Steve Spurrier is the only coach who coached in to be and where we can be as a team. the SEC at age 70. Do you think you can be the next one? Is that something you ever think about, So you can describe our team as we have a uniform in or is that something you leave up to your wife, Ms. Alabama, it doesn't change much, it doesn't reveal Terry? anything, and it's kind of who we are. So that's a lot NICK SABAN: Well, let me say this: Mrs. Terry does about where our team is right now. And we're going to not want me at home. I can tell you that. She doesn't work hard as coaches to help develop that so that we care if I'm 60, 70, or 80. So she's looking for may be able to have the kind of team that I think we something for me to do. might be capable of if we can get people to buy into the roles that they have and develop as we need them to. Now, I really enjoy what I'm doing right now, and as long as I'm healthy and I can do it, I'm going to So we have some very talented players here today who continue to do it and not worry about any numbers or have had very productive careers for us. Ross what my age is or anything like that. But I would not Pierschbacher, a fifth-year senior, is actually going to want to be in the position where I ever rode the have a master's degree in December, has been a four- program down because I wasn't capable of making a and five-year starter for us. This will be the fifth year contribution that would be positive to the success of the he starts in the offensive line -- or fourth year he starts program. in the offensive line. So I'm going to continue to do this for as long as I feel Anfernee Jennings has been an outstanding outside like I can make a positive contribution and as long as I linebacker, good pass rusher, really good play maker feel healthy enough to do it. And, you know, our for us, actually got injured at the end of the Clemson Noontime basketball team was undefeated again this game and missed the National Championship game year, so that's always an indicator to me that I can last year. make it through another season.

Damien Harris, who we're excited about having back, Q. Coach, what do you think of the new NCAA who returns after two back-to-back thousand-yard redshirt rule, and how do you plan to utilize it? seasons and probably could have gone out for the NICK SABAN: I think it's a great rule. I think this is a draft, but I think sort of sent a message that: I'm a guy rule that really benefits players and player that wants to graduate. I like college. The NFL is not

Rev #1 by #206 at 2018-07-18 18:17:00 GMT page 2 of 6 development. It was very difficult for us as coaches to and not be a part of the team. I think he would add a make decisions as to whether we should play a player, tremendous amount of experience, knowledge, and and when you decided to play a player, you had to diversity to our defense because he's very smart, if he make sure he was going to play enough that that would decided to come back, but that doesn't seem to be the enhance his development so that you wouldn't really case right now. waste a year of his eligibility. All right. So now you're going to be able to play the player and enhance his Q. Nick, could you talk about the things you look development and he won't lose that year maybe for when hiring assistant coaches? because he didn't get to play enough to enhance his NICK SABAN: Well, first of all, I want people who are development. knowledgeable and good teachers, but I also think they have to be really good fit on your staff. And I think So I think this is a very, very good rule. I don't really those are probably the critical factors. think that -- other than the fact that we'll get to play more young players, I don't think this is something that I think it's one of the reasons that I think a lot of people we're going to try to strategically implement to players misjudge my reason for having staff size and having to try to get players to stay longer, because, in our lots of interns, is I like to help develop those coaches case, I don't know how much it would benefit us. We so when they go someplace else and coach, I can hire have very few fifth-year players in this day in age of them back someday. Because I'd rather hire football. somebody that I know as a person in terms of who they are, kind of character they have, kind of leadership they You know, we've had 126 players in the last five years demonstrate, the kind of teacher they can be, rather play their last game in Alabama with a degree, which than having to go on somebody else's means we've had a significant number of guys recommendation. graduate in three and a half years. That's over 25 guys a year playing -- we had 25 guys this year playing in So those are the things that we try to do. We also have the National Championship game that had their somebody in our organization who is always on top of degree. who is the best people developing at every position out there regardless of what level they are coaching at in So it's going to be more and more difficult to just terms of their ability to coach players, teach players, redshirt people for strategic reasons because they're have success in leadership roles, whether it's offensive going to want to either go launch their career or go try coordinator, defensive coordinator, whatever it might to have an opportunity to play in the NFL. be, and who are the best recruiters.

So I don't see a strategic advantage. I just think it's a So there's quite a bit that goes into it. I do think that it really good advantage for young players to be able to hampers us a little as head coaches. I don't know if play some and not be able to lose their year, which will the other guys would agree, that when we got taken off enhance their development. the road four, five years ago when we couldn't go out in the spring, that's when I kept track of assistant Q. We obviously noticed the omission on the roster coaches. That's when you see assistant coaches. It this week of Keith Holcombe. Can you talk about was an evaluation period. You went to practice. There his decision to concentrate on baseball and what would be five, six guys there. You talk to them all. You led to that? have relationships with other people. I think that has NICK SABAN: Well, obviously Keith Holcombe has really minimized the relationship that you have with a done an outstanding job for us. He's been a great lot of assistant coaches. When you're a head coach for contributor in the program, not only on the field but a a long time, you kind of lose track of who the best guys great human being, outstanding student, been a really, are. So you have to depend on some other forms of really good leader for us, and I would love to have him resources to help you know who they are. come back and be a part of our team. Q. Nick, I think it's 47 days until the opener, kind of But I understand that he wanted to play baseball. He's late in the offseason. Do you expect Jalen to be on always wanted to play baseball. He's had an the roster on opening day or with the team? opportunity to play baseball, and we decided to give NICK SABAN: I don't know if -- can you repeat that him the opportunity to go full time in baseball this year question? and then him make a decision about whether he wanted to continue that year of eligibility in football and THE MODERATOR: He's asking 47 days to the baseball or just do it in baseball. opening game. Do you expect Jalen to be on the roster? And he has made that decision and -- to play baseball

Rev #1 by #206 at 2018-07-18 18:17:00 GMT page 3 of 6 NICK SABAN: Well, I have no idea. I expect him to be coaching? there. I think it's our job to give both players a very fair NICK SABAN: Well, there's been many occasions opportunity to have a chance to win the team at their where the guys that are coaching other places, even in position. I think that one of the two guys -- obviously, our league, call on occasion and ask questions about both are capable. We'll create a role for one or both of things that may be a management problem for them, those guys on our team, and they'll all have to make a whether it's their quarterback situation, whether it's decision based on what that outcome is as to what what I think of a certain rule or something that's going their future is, you know, at Alabama. to happen in the future. Sometimes I call them and ask for their advice and their opinion on things. We certainly would love for every player on our team to stay at the University of Alabama and graduate. Jalen So -- and what I tell every guy that when they leave, has a great opportunity to do that in December. So, we whether it was Jim McElwain or Kirby or whoever, I are hopeful that he will stay there and be a graduate said the most important thing for you, when you go to regardless of what his circumstance is as a player. be your own head coach, is you have to be who you are. You have to be yourself. You guys have been that But that's not to minimize his chances of being a way here, and you made a tremendous impact on the starter and making a great contribution to our team in group that you were in control over. some way, even if he isn't a starter. So to think you have to be any different just because Q. You mentioned the offensive and defensive you're in charge of the whole team instead of one side coordinator, Michael Locksley and Tosh Lupoi. of the ball is not something you need to overthink. And Can you speak to what have you seen in them I think Jeremy's very capable. He's one of the best growth-wise? When you talk about leadership, coaches we've had on our staff, and I think he'll do mentorship, their ability to be hands on with extremely well. players, what growth have you seen from those two? Q. Jimbo Fisher told us you all went at it pretty NICK SABAN: Well, I think Michael Locksley has a good in those offensive and defensive battles at wealth of experience. He's been a coordinator for a LSU. What are your memories on those and your long time. He's been in our system. He's made great thoughts on his addition to the SEC West? contribution in our program recruiting as well as how he THE MODERATOR: Jimbo Fisher and previous impacts players, and he has experience being a head matchups with him, what do you remember about that? coach and a coordinator at other places where he's had a tremendous amount of success. NICK SABAN: You talking about matchups in practice or you talking about matchups in games? So, we're very, very confident that he will do a great job, and the players have responded extremely well to Q. At LSU. Mike. And I have a lot of confidence in Mike. NICK SABAN: There was no matchup. We were on the same team. We were both trying to win. He was a Tosh, because he has not done it, he has not called great offensive coordinator. Great play caller. But also defenses before, we have tried to be very helpful to him a guy that always bought into exactly how we had to do in his development as a player, but we do have Pete things to help development our team, whether it was Golding who has been a coordinator and called personnel decisions that we had to make to move guys defenses as a co-coordinator. from one side of the ball to the other or how we had to install things so that one side could catch up to the So the two of them working together I feel, as well as other. me looking over their shoulder, might be something that we can grow and develop into something that's not Had a great working relationship with Jimbo. Have a going to affect our chances to be successful on that tremendous amount of respect for him. I think he did a side of the ball. fantastic job at Florida State, won a National Championship there. And I think he'll do a really good Q. Earlier today, Jeremy Pruitt was asked whether job, you know, at Texas A&M. So Jimbo's a really good or not you imparted any advice to him for being a quarterback coach and he's a really good play caller. head coach, and he jokingly said: Do you think Coach Saban is going to give me any advice? I do Q. I'm just curious as to what the impact of the wonder, there's a growing number of your proteges addition of Josh Gattis has been on the recruiting out there in the league, what do you say to those trail and in the locker room and player guys, and do they seek advice from you about head development?

Rev #1 by #206 at 2018-07-18 18:17:00 GMT page 4 of 6 NICK SABAN: Josh is an outstanding recruiter. He does a great job of developing relationships with Q. You mentioned earlier that you were going to players. He's got great leadership qualities. I think he bring Ross Pierschbacher with you today. What sets a great example for his players that he coaches. are your expectations for him coming into this They respond extremely well to him. He's very season as a senior leader and the anchor for knowledgeable. And I think the players have a offensive line? tremendous amount of respect for that. NICK SABAN: Ross has been an outstanding leader for us in the past. We moved him to center. I think he's And, you know, one thing he does is he really treats the made really good progress at that position. I think the players very fairly. He's fair and honest with them. nature of the position itself is something that requires Treats them as men. leadership, making a lot of calls. It helps other players on the offensive line play better. I really like Josh. I think he's got a bright future. He's a very bright guy. We're certainly pleased to have him on And Ross has done a really good job of developing the our staff. ability to do that and still play comfortably and competitively. Q. Two-part question. One, considering Jalen and Tua have both proven themselves, how much will So we're going to try to put the best five guys on the their past play play into the competition? And two, field on the offensive line in whatever positions, and Tua obviously was hurt in spring ball. What did having guys like Ross, who have diversity to play guard you feel like he gained from that despite being or center, I think is something that really helps you be injured? able to do that. NICK SABAN: I think it all will be determined. Everything you just asked me will be determined by Q. Two Orlando questions. First one, opening the what the players do, the rest of the summer, how they season in Orlando, what do you like about the win the team, what they do in fall camp. And I'm not neutral-site kickoff classic games? Second one, making any predetermined decisions about that. So, do you ever feel for a school like UCF that can run they need to continue to compete, like every other the table and not get a snip of the National Playoff, person at every other position on our team is and what do you think it would take for a Group of competing. Five team to get into the National Playoff? NICK SABAN: Well, first of all, we're excited about And I love both guys. They're both really good playing the game in Orlando. Neutral-site games really competitors. They are really good people. They are launched our program in Alabama when we first came good leaders. They both make great contribution to there years ago. But I think philosophically we're sort our team. They are very well liked. of changing our thoughts on that and our future scheduling and trying to get more home and homes, So somebody's got to win the team, and however these which leads me to talk about what we need to do guys can help the team, I hope they are both scheduling-wise. I know nobody really asked this, but committed to staying and doing that. I've always been an advocate of playing all Power Five schools. I think we need to get -- have more really, Q. You touched on the redshirt rule earlier, but do really good games on TV for the players. We can't you think that could affect the quarterback have fans who pay a lot of money for tickets and boxes position, and do you see that role having an effect and loges who support our programs to pay for games on how you handle the quarterback position? that no one is interested in watching. NICK SABAN: No. No, I don't. I think I should handle the quarterback situation not based on a rule but based So that's -- now, I've heard Greg talk about the fact that on what's best for our team. I think I owe that to the we don't want to play nine SEC games, but I've always other 125 guys on our team. Would you agree or been an advocate of playing nine or ten SEC games disagree? I think that's my responsibility and obligation and a couple other games against some other good to the players on our team, to help provide them the opponents that everybody would be happy to watch. best opportunity to be successful and every player to do that. I think it would help us determine, to your next question, who should be in the playoffs. And you might So if the redshirt rule is a part of all of that, then we'll not have to go undefeated to get into the playoffs, certainly consider it in any decision that we make. But because there would be more games against high- otherwise we're going to make it based on the people quality opponents, which would help determine who on our team and how we can help them be successful. the best teams are.

Rev #1 by #206 at 2018-07-18 18:17:00 GMT page 5 of 6 And, look, I have tremendous amount of compassion for UCF and what they accomplished this year and going undefeated. We've only had one team that's gone undefeated and won the National Championship, and that was in 2009, and that is very, very, very difficult to do, for anyone. And I have a tremendous amount of respect for the players.

I'm not responsible for the system that determines who gets in the playoffs. But I think they did a good job of determining who got in the playoffs, and we can have another discussion about the future of the playoffs and how many teams should get in the playoffs, but you're going to minimize the effect of bowl games, which I stood up here ten years ago and said, as soon as we do this, it's going to diminish bowl games, the importance of bowl games. Everybody would just be interested in the playoffs.

Well, that's where we are right now. I mean, we have players choosing not to play in bowl games because it's not important because they're going to save themselves for the draft. All of these things are not good for college football.

So there's a lot of philosophical questions that everybody needs to sort of take into consideration as what the best way to do this whole thing is, and I don't think I have the answer to that. That's not what I get paid to do.

So -- but -- and I can't tell you how or why or if they should have gotten in the playoffs relative to UCF.

THE MODERATOR: All right. Thank you, Coach Saban, for your time.

NICK SABAN: Is that it? Thank you, all. Appreciate it. It was easy today.

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