Former Alabama QB explains why Nick Saban yelling at players is actually a good thing

Former Alabama quarterback David Cornwell made headlines this week for his Twitter spat with Blake Barnett. Both quarterbacks eventually transferred from Alabama.

After being an elite high school prospect, Cornwell’s career at Alabama didn’t pan out like he thought it would. He was often injured, and after being on the scout team for 3 years, he knew that he’d have to transfer somewhere else in order to play. He eventually landed at Nevada.

Cornwell joined the Ox Cord Podcast this week, and he was asked about his Alabama career. Host Cruz Oxenreider also asked Cornwell about getting yelled at by Nick Saban. Surprisingly, Cornwell explained how getting yelled at by Alabama’s head coach is actually a good thing for players.

“I mean, that was my whole career — scout team field,” Cornwell said. “That was the nice part. At first, it was I didn’t want to be on the scout team field and by my third year, I had kind of been injured enough to know this is where I’m going to be until I transfer. I just kind of took it to heart. You kind of learn what he wants, you learn how to operate and there’s a certain standard he expects. If he’s yelling at you, it’s actually a good thing, because he cares about you. When he stops yelling and kind of turns his shoulder on you, that’s when it’s not as good of a situation.

“That’s when a lot of young guys kind of either figure out too late or figure out right on time and be really good players. Yeah, I mean, there’s too many to count screaming at me. You get blamed for anything that happens on the scout field, so I mean, it kind of got to a point where I knew it was going to happen, respect it. He’s a great coach and it is what it is.”

Saban is a master motivator and always tries to improve his players and get the most out of them. Yes, his famed “ass chewings” are entertaining to watch, but it’s all with a purpose.

As Cornwell explains, players shouldn’t want Saban to stop yelling at them, because when he does, it may be time to look elsewhere.

You can watch Cornwell’s interview below:

The Ox Cord – Former Alabama QB, David Cornwell Interview https://t.co/Mb300Jukry

— The Ox Cord Podcast (@TheOxCordPod) February 16, 2022

Kevin Duffey

A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.