who is Nick Saban: former Alabama coach and ESPN analyst
Nick Saban is a former college football head coach who won six national championships at Alabama and now analyzes the sport for ESPN. He spent nearly two decades coaching in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Recently he commented on Texas quarterback Arch Manning and the SEC playoff race.
Why it's in the news
Saban said on ESPN that the threat of losing the starting job could motivate Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who has been inconsistent this season. He also gave views on the SEC and Big 12 playoff races.
- Nick Saban — Saban says benching threat can motivate Texas QB Arch Manning
Background
Nick Saban is an American football coach best known for leading the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. The sources state that he won six national championships at Alabama and spent nearly two decades coaching in the Southeastern Conference. He is now a college football analyst for ESPN, where he gives opinions on teams, coaches and playoff picture questions.
Saban is known for his coaching decisions. In 2018 he sat quarterback Jalen Hurts at halftime of the national title game against Georgia, and Alabama went on to a comeback win with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Saban has said that a benching can serve as a motivator for players who are strong competitors.
On Friday, Saban said Texas quarterback Arch Manning has been inconsistent this season. Texas is 5-2 and ranked No. 11. Saban said the threat of losing the starting job could push Manning to play better, and that Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had told Manning the team could not win with him playing that way. Winning out would all but guarantee Texas a College Football Playoff spot. Saban also gave views on the SEC and Big 12 playoff races, and ESPN's College GameDay show visited Bloomington, Indiana, for a Week 9 game.