FYI, Saban's take on walk on's
You know, I was a walk-on for a little while and earned a scholarship," said Saban, who was a defensive back at Kent State. "So I have a lot of compassion for guys who really want to play, who love the game, who are willing to go out every day and try to get themselves better to see if they have an opportunity to contribute to the team some day, but also are willing to give of themselves to help the other guys on the team by helping them prepare by being a part of the scout team."
Saying the right thing for the media. Nothing more. I bet he doesn't give a damn about them , like most coaches. This is the same person who ignored a player that passed out after practice.
"Well, the first day of two-a-days. We had about a three-hour-plus practice in the morning in that south Florida sun. You guys know what it's like down there in late July, early August. And then that night we had another practice under the lights, if I recall I think it was about from 6 to 9.
Jeno James, our best offensive lineman at the time, comes in and collapses after practice, uh, vomiting all kinds of stuff that would make a billygoat puke, eyes rolled in the back of his head. Myself, about four other lineman are trying to carry him from the locker room, to the training room.
Obviously it's a moment of panic, everyone, you know, we don't know if this guy's, you know, gonna die, I mean, the whole deal. But he's so big and sweaty and heavy that we actually have to set him down in the hallway between the locker room and the training room.
Nick Saban literally just starts walking in, steps over Jeno James convulsing, doesn't say a word, doesn't try to help, goes upstairs, I don't know what he does. But then obviously they get Jeno 'trauma-offed' to the hospital.
Saban calls a team meeting about 10:30 that night, comes down and says, 'You know, the captain of the ship can never show fear or indecision, we've always gotta have an answer, and so I had to go upstairs, that's why I walked over Geno like that, I had to collect my thoughts and decide what's best for our team."
Yeah , it's easy to use the word compassion when talking to the media , than it is to actually show it. Nick Saban is a great coach , but believe me when I tell you , he doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself when it comes down to it.