The combination of Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts brought the University of Alabama to an undefeated regular season, a Southeastern Conference championship and its fifth consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff.
So much has happened for the Crimson Tide, especially after the interview Nick Saban had with Maria Taylor of ESPN to start the year. He had been pestered with questions involving the quarterback race all summer and despite answering the same way, it was Taylor that got the horns following the Louisville game.
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Saban started the conversation on how much he likes both Hurts and Tagovailoa; however, his tone turned to anger (by most standards) by the end of the interview.
“I think both guys are good players. I think both guys can help our team. So, why do you continue to try to get me to say something negative that doesn’t respect on of them? I am not going to, so quit asking.”- Alabama head coach Nick Saban
It was a meme made for Twitter and while Taylor knew Saban didn’t mean any harm, it was his wife – Terry Saban – that got the 67-year-old to apologize. People took their shots at the head coach; however, Taylor came at Saban’s defense on social media and the two were able to have fun in a game of pickup basketball on last weekend.
In ESPN’s debut of Taylor’s A-Class Bucket List for Mercedes-Benz, she drives to Tuscaloosa and plays G.O.A.T. with Saban at Foster Auditorium.
The two bonded over hoops, laughter and conversation, while the six-time national champion showed off his range on the court.
After both were tied at G.O.A. with one letter to go, Saban would connect on a string of shots and Taylor missed on her final attempt. With a smile on his face, the disciplined disciple told Taylor “you gotta win with class.”
While the two were never truly upset with each other, it’s always great to see Saban smile and enjoy himself with a great media personality. He has had fun with Taylor and now, he returns to getting the Tide prepared for another national championship push.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
