Saban focuses on who he has, not who he doesn’t

By Ken Rogers

Published: December 31, 2008

Near the end of his post-practice press conference, Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked how tough the suspension of Andre Smith was for the coach personally.

Saban’s answer didn’t have much to do with the question, but it’s worth noting.

“I am really interested in talking about the players who are going to play the game, and all the ones who have made the right decisions and the right choices to have the opportunity to play in the game,“ Saban said.

“That is what I am focused on. This team has made a tremendous commitment, from the very beginning, from the end of last year’s bowl game, all through the off-season program, all through spring practice, all through the summer, all through the season. And (it) has made a tremendous amount of progress because of the choices and decisions they have made, and the commitment they have made to playing good football. And my focus as a coach is to help those guys finish the season the right way. That is where my focuses are. That is what I am worried about. And when I don’t sleep at night, that is what I don’t sleep about.

Aight? Happy New Year.