At the conclusion of each game, the head coaches typically meet each other at midfield before taking off to their locker rooms to address their teams.
But following Alabama’s win over LSU last Saturday, Nick Saban sought out former Crimson Tide wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who now plays for the Tigers. Saban and Anderson both appeared to be glad to see each other despite being on opposite sides of the game.
Saban could be heard during the viral clip telling Anderson he’d “be playing more here than you are” before departing with smiles on both sides.
"You'd be playing more here than you are there."
Saban to his former player Aaron Anderson 😳 pic.twitter.com/elLmKV03Ov
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 5, 2023
During his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban was asked about the exchange and why he doesn’t appear to feel bitter towards a player for leaving the program.
“I think it’s a way of life now that almost all the players have somebody externally sort of affecting how they think,” Saban said. “And I think you have to accept that as a coach. You try to do the best you can to tell those guys how they can create value for their future.
“I think Aaron would’ve been playing a lot of football for us this year. He’s an outstanding player, he’s a fine young man, we were happy to get him in recruiting. We hated to see him go but these things aren’t personal to me. I want to support the player. I want to see him do well. I want to see all players be more successful in life because of the experience they had in college football.
“So having resentment, you know, towards guys that (transfer) I don’t do that. And you know, the guy’s from Louisiana so I get it but it’s just not personal to me.”
Anderson was a five-star recruit in the class of 2022 and entered the transfer portal after one season with the Crimson Tide.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
