During his legendary coaching career Nick Saban has rarely shied away from an opportunity to share his thoughts on current topics centering on college football.
Saban and the rest of ESPN’s “College GameDay” team were in Indiana ahead of the 12-team College Football Playoff opener between Our Lady and the Hoosiers. While the high-stakes game was the main topic during the pregame show, embattled Ohio State coach Ryan Day was also discussed.
Saban came to Day’s defense and turned his anger on Buckeyes fanssuggesting that they take at least some of the blame for the cloud of negativity circling the program.
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Nick Saban attends ESPN’s “College GameDay” before a game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, November 2, 2024. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Saban said the noise surrounding the program is a distraction for the coaches and players and also made it clear that he respects Day and his program.
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“I think every coach has to define how he wants to do it, and I have a lot of respect for Ryan Day and how he tries to do that.” Saban said. “For me, I always wanted every player in the organization to reach their full potential. It wasn’t so much about the outcome, it was about what you had to do to make everyone better.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban before the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
“But a big part of that was insulating the players from external factors – criticism, the internet. I used to say to the players, ‘What do you care what a man puts on the internet, who is a fat man who lives in his underwear? ‘ in his mother’s basement? Why should that affect you in any way?
“It’s the same for the fans. I would tell the fans the same thing. If Ohio State wants to beat Michigan, they have to be positive about their coach and their players. There’s no one who wants to beat them worse than the players and players.” the coaches. That’s No. 1. No. 2, they have a chance to win the national championship. Everyone should be very supportive of them so that they have the best chance of doing it and stopping all this negative bull. -.”
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day before a game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. (Joseph Maiorana/USA Today Sports)
While Day has compiled a 66-10 record at Ohio State, his Buckeyes have lost four straight to the Michigan Glutton.
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Day’s disappointing results against Michigan have raised criticism and concerns about the coach’s job security. Day’s focus is on the Buckeyes’ upcoming game against Tennessee in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will host the volunteers on Saturday.
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