Does Nick Saban return to hard-nosed coaching and playing the best players next season?
A former Alabama linebacker recounts the first chilling speech Saban gave to the Crimson Tide in 2007.
Darren Mustin, a former walk-on, shared the story on The Bama Standard. He earned Saban’s trust in 2007 as one of the team’s leading tacklers with 79 (third on the team). Mustin totaled 8.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and two interceptions.
Mike Shula recruited Mustin, but the linebacker remembers what made Saban the real deal for Alabama.
Former Alabama LB Darren Mustin gave his account of Nick Saban’s first meeting with the team in 2007 😮 pic.twitter.com/QClJ96W9s1
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 11, 2023
“The majority of the NFL doesn’t like me, most of the NCAA doesn’t like me, what makes you think I care if you don’t like me? The best players are gonna play,” Mustin said about Saban told the team.
Saban has always been one to put the best athletes on the field. He benched Jalen Hurts for Tua Tagovailoa in the second half of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Georgia.
Hopefully, we see the best players on the field at each position next fall.
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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.
