What Nick Saban said Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference
By Keith Farner
Published:
One of the interesting storylines this week in the Texas A&M-Alabama game is the reunion of Jeff Banks, the new Alabama assistant and former Texas A&M special teams coordinator.
Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked multiple questions on Wednesday about Banks’ impact on the staff and the team. The Aggies in recent years have been most known in special teams for Christian Kirk and the return game, something Saban noted.
“Well, when we went to the 10th coach, I wanted to get a really good special teams guy,” Saban said. “Texas A&M did a really good job in special teams, that was the No. 1 thing. The fact that he was a good recruiter and had a lot of connections in Texas was probably a bonus. … He’s been beneficial to special teams … we’ve been productive there … it’s been a real positive for our program.”
Saban said Texas A&M’s defense is completely different, and that defensive coordinator Mike Elko brought the system he ran at Notre Dame, not the one Jimbo Fisher used at Florida State.
Saban called Texas A&M a great addition to the SEC, with its history and the conference’s access to Texas.
“I think it’s been positive for our league,” Saban said. “Jimbo is a fantastic coach … you can see their team is playing with intangibles, very well-coached team. That’s Jimbo’s style and that’s reflective of what they have done this year.”
Saban was asked about coaching to avoid targeting penalties and he said the coaches emphasize keeping your face up when making a tackle.
“Sometimes when the offensive player puts his head down and you have already committed to going low, that’s when issues come up,” he said.
Saban added that he’s been pleased with freshman defensive back Patrick Surtain.
“Patrick has done a really good job, he’s been able to learn and grow and do what he necessary at the position,” Saban said. “We have been pleased with our young players, it’s tough to do everything we ask them to do and hopefully he continues to do that.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
