In every setting populated by more than a couple of media members, Nick Saban will be asked about Jalen Hurts. Saban does not want the questions and he is right to not respond.
Let’s get right to the point. Performing to the standards of the national media is not an absolute requirement for Nick Saban.
As he should, Nick Saban devotes considerable time to the media. Shaping the Alabama football program message through the media is of value. Symbiotically, media careers are enhanced, sometimes largely built based on access to and a professional relationship with Saban.
But the mutually beneficial dance can go awry. That happened at the end of the Louisville game in a brief ESPN interview with Maria Taylor. Doing her job, Taylor asked a fair question. Saban’s response was out-of-line. Perhaps he misinterpreted the question. Whether he did or not, he over-reacted.
Later, most probably after being admonished by Miss Terry, Saban apologized to Taylor. On Monday he commented on the episode again, divulging every Sunday he prays for control over anger. And that should have been the end of the ‘Saban outburst’ story.
It wasn’t. There are many reasons why. More than a few of them involve the media and society’s appetite to tear down celebrities who make human mistakes. And also because for media companies, and their personalities, there is reward for indignation.
Alabama football beat writers cannot ignore a story like the Jalen Hurts situation. The potential transfer of Hurts and how many more games he will play as a Tide QB is important. Even staunchly supportive fans of Nick Saban want more information. What will happen next? Could the QB situation, following a serious Tua injury, cost the Crimson Tide a repeat national championship?
The questions must be asked. However, Nick Saban should not answer. The future of the 2018 Alabama football team will not be served by public discussion of the potentially looming dilemma. If Nick Saban knows how it will play out, and we guess he doesn’t, he should keep it to himself and his fellow coaches.
Let media clamor continue unabated. There will be plenty of speculation (including our own) before this ends. Nick Saban does not need to add to it. He also does not deserve being chided for his lack of disclosure.
Do Alabama football fans have any assurance this situation will play out to our liking? No, none whatsoever.