Nick Saban is the University of Alabama head football coach. When people think of Saban, his name is associated with the number ’6.’ Saban has won six national championships. His social skills with media personnel? That has earned him what he feels is a much-maligned nickname among his haters. This wordplay on his last name is associated with a few 6’s.
An apology was in order shortly after Saban completed a post-game interview with ESPN sideline reporter Maria Taylor. Below is the video featuring Saban getting frustrated over ongoing questions concerning the quarterback controversy between Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts:
Nick Saban responded critically to a question about his QBs after Alabama’s win. pic.twitter.com/sZCvIox2Dq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 2, 2018
Taylor did a splendid job. She handled that beautifully. She wasn’t the least bit phased while she transitioned perfectly into the follow-up question. That’s textbook right there. Every aspiring reporter should view that. It felt as though she completely understood where Saban was coming from. Maybe she did. The reality is that she must ask the question. The higher-ups require it. It’s her job to comply.
Less than 24 hours passed before Saban issued a phone-call apology to Taylor. Even six-time national champion head coaches have their flaws. His remark wasn’t evil; it was immature. His players look up to him. It’s not a good look to respond to inconvenience in such a manner. That wasn’t even adversity…that was simple inconvenience. Saban owned up to it and admitted his mishandling. Good for him.
The Society of Stone-Throwers disagree! A private apology isn’t enough. They demand a public flogging. They demand…a PUBLIC APOLOGY.
He should do it publicly
— Dan (@Dan25915244) September 2, 2018
As of this submission, a public apology hadn’t been issued. Maybe those critics will receive one? Saban has every right to issue a public apology if he so chooses. Whatever eases his conscience.
But for critics to demand a public apology? Nick Saban did nothing to you; his improper etiquette was committed against the sideline reporter. Saban owed an apology to Taylor and maybe his teammates for setting a poor example on how to handle inconvenience, let alone adversity. He does not owe an apology to critics, social media users, or especially trolls.
The other matter is seeing how people act as though a public apology means more than a private apology. A public apology is nothing more than public relations. It gives the haters a reason to chant “Shame!” and the fans a reason to praise his classiness. A private apology requires speaking directly to and, although not in the case of a phone-to-phone, directly gaze into the eyes of the wronged. It’s more personal and meaningful than putting on a show through a public apology.
One of my first memories occurred during preschool. We had a show-and-tell session where children were passing around their favorite toys. At one point, I pumped my fist in the air. My fist was slightly angled to where it upper-cutted a nearby kid’s face. The teacher forced me to apologize—face-to-face—to the student.
The kid grew up to become a marine and a police officer. Recently, he was cleared for his involvement in a fatality shooting. We grew up as friends and attended the same school before I exited the state toward the end of Grade 8.
That was my first memory of apologizing. It was just really hard to directly apologize for the first time. You must look that person in the eye and admit your error. Dishonesty is detectable. It was scary but it got done. Public apologies? You’ve got people praising your maturity and bravery. One-on-ones are more authentic and difficult.
My advice to Saban: take a chill pill. There’s no need to get tense during those interviews. I’ve never understood why coaches such as Gregg Popovich and Saban let their emotions get the best of them. Why not exercise KISS: Keep it Short and Sweet, Keep it Simple, Stupid…? Just give the shortest and most vague answers to each question. Basically, react similar to Bill Belichick. Possible examples:
Q: What answers did you have about your quarterbacks…
A: Tua and Jalen are like two Little Debbie oatmeal creme pies: they’re both good, so I eat/play both of them each morning/game.
Q: What do you need to do in the second half?
A: Outscore the opponent.
Q: How does it feel to win?
A: Feels like winning. Well, unless you’re half the NBA teams tanking for higher draft picks after completing their first 20 games. Otherwise, winning feels good.
You know what? Screw this. Nick Saban committed a capital sin. Let’s give him the capital punishment that he deserves.
Nick Saban, SoBros Network hereby suspends you from eating Little Debbie oatmeal creme pies for three weeks. You heard that right: THREE (3) WEEKS.*
*Proposed punishment requires approval from SoBros Network owner and Alabama superfan “Big Natural” Stoney Keeley along with any Alabama Investigation Committee he so chooses to create.
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Joshua Huffman was born and collegiately edumacated in Middle Tennessee. That said, Huffman spent 13-plus years with the type of Northern Wisconsinites and Yoopers who turn Nashville bars into alcohol wastelands whenever NFC North teams travel to play the Tennessee Titans. This makes him the NoBro of SoBros. He has published content for Yahoo! Sports (via Contributor Network) and Titan Sized, among other venues. At SoBros, he’ll provide Daily Fantasy Sports suggestions and broad sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter
