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Head coach Nick Saban is known for his fiery demeanor on the Alabama sidelines. It’s one that college football fans have grown accustomed to over the years as he’s often seen chewing out players, coaches, and anyone else who will listen during times of frustration.
Defensive back Terrion Arnold gave listeners an idea of what it’s like to end up on the wrong side of one of those Nick Saban outbursts in a recent media outing. His response was both hilarious and incredibly insightful.
The cornerback received one of those… um, teaching moments, this past Saturday in a matchup against Mississippi State. Here’s what he had to say.
“Obviously, you’ve got to ask questions, because you’ve got to see what he wants so you can make that adjustment on the field,” Arnold said when asked how he handles getting an earful from his head coach. “When he came to me [Saturday], I was actually on the field like, ‘Oh, he looks mad, he’s fixin’ to give it to somebody.’ Then I realized it was me!”
“You have to not hear how he’s saying it, but you have to hear what he’s saying,” Arnold continued. “He knows that I can take coaching like that, and it’s hard coaching. When you choose to come here, you never know when he can chew you out, but like they say, you should be worried when he’s not saying something.”
Probably the best possible response to taking a verbal berating one can ask for.
There was a sense earlier this year that Nick Saban had eased up a bit on his outbursts, potentially signaling retirement at year’s end.
He was back at his sideline antics this past weekend, though, a good sign for those that want to see the head coach continue his legendary career.
Despite a loss to Texas earlier this year, Alabama has a chance to land another SEC championship this December. The Tide are currently tied with Texas A&M atop the SEC West standings, with the two rivals set to meet in College Station this weekend.
Terrion Arnold is excited to see his head coach’s passion, though maybe directed towards someone else next time around.
It wouldn’t be college football without a fiery Saban in Tuscaloosa.