The addition of Nick Saban to ESPN’s College GameDay has been refreshing this season.
After a long and successful coaching career — that included 17 years at the University of Alabama — college football fans are now seeing the humor and entertainment that few thought Saban had. He has spewed out gems and funny stories all season, but some of his best moments came Saturday. Saban appreciated every player that came through the Crimson Tide’s program, including those who decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Several names hit the portal upon Saban’s retirement from coaching announcement on Jan. 10. Caleb Downs, a former five-star safety from Georgia, was one of them. He is now at Ohio State after being an SEC Freshman of the Year, first-team All-SEC selection, and second-team All-American selection last season.
Caleb Downs tells Nick Saban why Alabama ‘was more prepared’ early than Ohio State
Downs is preparing to take on Indiana, but Saban detailed a hilarious story about his former safety from 2023.
“The one thing about Caleb that I have to tell you, I just don’t know if I could trust him,” Saban said.
“We had a rule last year because I did not want to cuss in the meetings. I was trying to be this transformational leader and set a good example. So every time I cussed in the meeting, and I was always in the DB meetings, I had to pay five bucks. Well, Caleb was the guy holding the cash. Well, there was about $500 in the pot and I don’t know whatever happened to the cash.”
Rece Davis tells Saban in the humorous investigation that Downs and Terrion Arnold spent that money.
Pat McAfee followed with “I always knew you paid your players” to Saban in laughter.
Downs has 46 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and a quarterback hurry in 10 games for the Buckeyes.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
