2016 Southeastern Conference
Championship Game
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide
vs
The Florida Gators
Today In The Georgia Dome
Kickoff: 3:10 p.m. CT
Television Broadcast: CBS
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What Saban Said To The Media On Friday
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| Nick Saban Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Saban said that this would be a "hard-fought" game. Earlier in the week Saban let it be known that Florida winning the SEC East and getting to Atlanta is quite an accomplishment, and that the Gators will field an excellent team, and one that is well-coached.
Saban was asked whether or not Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was ready to be a head coach again, to which Saban responded, "Absolutely." He spoke of the phenomenal job Kiffin has done and his abilities that have impressed Saban. (See accompanying story.)
Saban was asked about the comment made by one of the nation reporters. One that concerned Alabama having not played anybody. The coach responded, "I don't know who the expert is. Saban then pointed out that Alabama has faced a number of teams ranked in the Top 20 when the Tide has played them. He then went on to explain that the teams in the SEC beat each other up, which has affected the perception of the quality of the conference. (Add to that the fact that the SEC West is generally accepted to be the most difficult "conference" in which a school can play.)
Saban was very complimentary of Gator's offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier who had once held the same position at Alabama. He spoke of his disappointed of Nussmeier leaving for Michigan in January 2014 and spoke of how he really didn't want him to leave.
Concerning the subject of retirement, Saban said he's going to coach as long as he is healthy and feels he can continue to do a good job. (See accompanying story.)
Once again Saban complimented his starting quarterback true freshman Jalen Hurts. He said the young man has "maturity beyond his years." High praise indeed, speaking to more than just physical ability.
Concerning the Florida Gators, Saban said that this particular Gator offense is "more capable" of making more explosvie plays than last season's Florida offense.
Saban spoke of the need to finish, that everything is about "finishing" at this particular stage of the season. There are more games to go and the team must finish what it has started.
Concerning national championships, Saban said he isn't really focused on tying or surpassing the late Paul "Bear" Bryant's six national titles as a head coach. Saban currently has five, and with a win at the CFP National Championship this season he would accomplish being tied for the most national championships attained by a head coach, and the only active head coach to reach that milestone.
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Is Retirement In Saban's Immediate Future?
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| University of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban 2016 Southeastern Conference Press Briefing Photo Credit: Associated Press/Butch Dill |
It's really not a subject of which an avid Alabama fan even likes to think. The retirement of University of Alabama head football Nick Saban.
All have most likely thought about it, especially now that Saban has turned 65, won numerous conference championships, won national titles at more than one school, expanded his business empire and now has an ever-growing family that includes grandchildren. Of course there is always the hours required of a head football coach in this day and age, so retirement would allow him to enjoy Ms. Terry, his children and the grandchildren he now has and more than likely more coming.
Of course it seems that this time of year that question of retirement or leaving seems to always pop up. Coaches around the country are fired for not living up to expectations of administration, alumni and fans so they go looking for the best. And no doubt Nick Saban is the best. Thus his name will always come up as one that schools' have on their "wish lists."
This year is no exception. Saban has been associated with numerous coaching vacancies and possible acceptance of such jobs, in both the college and professional levels. And retirement.
So it comes as no surprise, really, that Saban was asked about retirement in his press conference yesterday held prior to today's 2016 Southeastern Conference Championship Game. One reporter asked, "Have you given any thought to how much longer you want to coach?"
Saban responded, "I love coaching. I love it. I've done it for a long time...I think we all have fears sometimes. You have to face your fears. When you start getting up there, you say, 'I wonder how long I'm going to be able to do this.' I'm going to do it as long as I feel like I can do a good job of it and I'm healthy enough to do it. That's always been what I've wanted to do. And as long as I can keep doing that, I'll be happy doing it."
Of course there is always the achieving the record for the number of national championships by a head coach. Currently Alabama's Paul "Bear" Bryant holds that illustrious record at six. And all six were at the Capstone. Wouldn't it be something for another Alabama head coach to actually tie and even surpass that record? Nick Saban is in the position of being able to do the former. He has five national championships right now, with one being at LSU and four now at Alabama. The 2016 National Championship would give him six total and the tie for the most, right up there with the Bear.
When asked about the record, Saban responded, "I haven't thought about it. I'm not thinking about it. I'm focusing on what can I do for our players so that we have a chance to win the SEC championship [today]. That's really all I'm focusing on. Regardless of what happens beyond that, it's going to be about the players on this team. They've worked hard. They've done a lot. The coaches and players on this team have worked hard and contributed and deserve all the credit for all the success that this team has created for itself.
"Hopefully we can just do enough to help them finish so that they can do something of significance that would define their legacy as a team. We're focused on that one day at a time. I've talked about: Be where your feet are. I'm right here right now. So, this is what's important, and this is what we have to focus on."
Well said, Coach.
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Rumors Have Lane Kiffin Leaving Bama Regardless
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| Is Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin leaving? Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
According to SB Nation's Steven Godfrey, University of Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will reportedly interview for the head coaching vacancy at Houston after this afternoon's Southeastern Conference Championship Game. That isn't the only head coaching position for which Kiffin is being considered. According to FootballScoop.com Kiffin is reportedly in the running for the head coaching job at Oregon as well.
Regardless of either outcome, one report has Kiffin leaving the Capstone anyway. Mattie-Lou Chandler of Outkick The Coverage is reporting that Kiffin will join head coach Ed Orgeron at LSU should he not get the head coaching position at Houston.
The pairing of Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin had many scratching their heads when Saban announced he had hired Kiffin as Alabama's offensive coordinator after his firing as the USC Trojan's head coach. Pundits and fans alike wondered if this was a marriage from hell or what? Of course marriage is really too strong a word. Perhaps this was more like checking into rehab for Kiffin, and Saban was the clinical psychologist. Regardless, it has worked out well for everyone involved.
Since joining Alabama head coach Nick Saban as the offensive coordinator at the Capstone, Kiffin has added a little pep to run-dominated Crimson Tide offense. Alabama has averaged at least 35.1 points per game since his tenure with the Tide, and is averaging 39.4 points per game this season.
The question is, "Is Lane Kiffin ready to be a head football coach again?"
Nick Saban says, "Absolutely."
Saban continued, "I think he has proven when he was a head coach he had a reasonably good amount of success...much more than I think he gets credit for. And he's done a phenomenal job in the three years that he has been with us relative to taking the players that we had and actually molding a system, especially for the quarterback to be successful in and I think those are signs of tremendous maturity as a coach who is just not committed to a system but is committed to doing the things he has to do to help players be successful."
Kiffin has had to find and develop three different quarterbacks while at the University of Alabama, not an easy feat. The Tide's last three starting quarterbacks, Blake Sims, Jake Coker and Jalen Hurts each had specific physical talents that needed honing, and Kiffin was able to capitalize on each of their strengths to bring about dynamic quarterbacking abilities from each.
Additionally, Saban wanted to go with a more "hurry-up" type offense when the situation was called for, and Kiffin has implemented one for the Crimson Tide. Between Saban's input and his own offensive genius, Kiffin has grown at the Capstone and been able to translate that into improving the players' performances as well as opening up the game.
Saban commented, "You know a lot of guys are committed to a system and then they need to have the players that can fit into that system to make that system work," Saban said. "But I think it is a true sign of a really good coach who can take the players that he has and adapt the system to make it work for them."
Saban is definitely in Kiffin's corner. As to whether he wants him to be a head coach because that is what Lane Kiffin wants, or if it's to get him out of the SEC and the hands of Bama's SEC West foe Ed Orgeron and LSU is up for debate. Regardless, Saban has helped and is continuing to try to help rehab Kiffin's career.
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| Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin & Head Coach Nick Saban Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
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Bama Men's Basketball Falls To Texas
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Bama was effective in the first half, shooting 48 percent from the field, including a 38 percent mark from the beyond the arc. So it went from the Tide having a great first half to the Longhorns having an even better second half. Texas scored 51 of their 68 points in the second half of play.
"The first five minutes of the second half, they came out with a different type of energy and focus," Alabama coach Avery Johnson said. "It seemed like they were a step quicker. Give them credit. This is a team that lost three games in a row. They were desperate."
The Crimson Tide was led by Dazon Ingram, pumping ins 12 points and six assists, as well as six rebounds and a pair of steals on the night. Sophomore Avery Johnson, Jr. was right behind him with 10 points coming in off the bench. Braxton Key contributed nine points, and led the team in rebounds with seven, while Donta Hall added another five points, five rebounds and four blocked shots.
Bama was out-rebounded 35-27 on the night, and only hit on 10-of-18 free throws as compared to 12-of-16 for Texas. However, once again the Crimson Tide bench stepped up big for Bama outscoring the Longhorns 33-19.
Next up for the Tide will be the Oregon Ducks on Sunday, December 11th. Bama will travel to Eugene, Oregon in a game set to tipoff at 5 p.m. CT and broadcast on ESPNU.
| Game Stats | UA | UT |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | .453 | .472 |
| 3FG% | .385 | .357 |
| FT% | .556 | .733 |
| RB | 27 | 35 |
| TO | 12 | 12 |
| STL | 3 | 2 |
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
