Alabama Crimson Tide: Nick Saban, Nate Oats and message management

Even staunch Alabama Crimson Tide fans are talking about another PR nightmare for the University of Alabama. On Monday night, discussing a suspension of Alabama football player Tony Mitchell, Nick Saban said,

"There’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

In the above quote, the eight words in bold were used a couple of weeks ago by Nate Oats. In contrast to Saban’s statement on Monday, Oats was attempting to explain that Brandon Miller was involved in a situation with tragic consequences, but one he did not anticipate.

Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program were widely panned for what appeared to be an effort by Oats to minimize what happened.

Monday night, Nick Saban took a decidedly different stance when talking about the suspension of Tony Mitchell. There has been a social media explosion since, with many slamming Saban, Oats and the lack of message management by the University of Alabama.

Did Nick Saban take a shot at Nate Oats? At least one solid source says that what Saban said was not made in reference to the earlier remark by Oats.

Chase Goodbread has long-established connections to Alabama Athletics. But despite his credibility, some are doubting him in this case.

Will Nick Saban clarify at his next media session? Probably, hopefully, we don’t know. We do know based on the police report that the situation with Tony Mitchell contained clear justification for his arrest. As reported by al.com

"The vehicle driven by Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell evaded police at 141 mph before it was later found and stopped… more than $7,000 in cash and 226 grams of marijuana were found in the vehicle along with the loaded gun.(Mitchell was) charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and/or distribute."

The charges, if proven, go far beyond drug possession. Tony Mitchell may face a prison sentence.

Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coaches

Getting back to the two Alabama Crimson Tide coaches, Saban has always supported Nate Oats. He has attended Alabama basketball games during the period of widespread media coverage of Brandon Miller.

It is possible, given his well-known disregard for media content, that Nick Saban knew nothing about what Oats said earlier. Whether that is accurate may never be known.

There is no better source about Nick Saban than Terry Saban. In the past, Miss Terry has said that Nick has blind spots. Because of an obsessive tunnel vision in most things, Nick Saban may have unintentionally put more heat on the Alabama basketball program.

Whatever the complete story is, Nick Saban and Nate Oats will move on quickly. They both have far more important matters for which to attend.