Nick Saban admits conveying significance of Rose Bowl to his players is a challenge
By Keith Farner
Published:
Nick Saban coached at a time in the Big Ten where the Rose Bowl had greater significance than it does to today’s players. During an appearance on ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday morning, the Alabama coach admitted transferring that significance to his players is a challenge.
“This is one of the great venues in college football to be a part of, the whole atmosphere, the hospitality really is fantastic,” Saban said. “But I don’t know that I can get our players to understand the importance of the Rose Bowl.”
Saban admitted that growing up in the Big Ten, the whole consciousness was going to the Rose Bowl, and it’s simply a different mindset today.
“I think we can try to get them to understand the importance of being in the Playoff, the kind of quality team you’re going to play against,” he said. “You’re going to have to prepare yourself to be the best player you can be. You’re probably going to play against one of the best players you’ve played against all year.”
The Rose Bowl still means a lot to Saban, but he said, “I just don’t if I can get that across to our players.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
