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Nick Saban criticizes reporter during injury update for Eli Ricks, Jahmyr Gibbs

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•11/19/22
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Alabama football coach Nick Saban gestures wildly during a game on Oct. 23, 2022. (Marvin Gentry / Getty Images)

The Iron Bowl is looming and Alabama coach Nick Saban is in rare form again, making sure reporters do their homework properly ahead of the big game against Auburn. Asked for an Alabama injury update after a win over Austin Peay, Saban provided an interesting answer.

He was asked about injuries generally at first, then prompted a reporter to clarify who he was asking about. The reporter then mentioned Tyler Steen, the Alabama left tackle who left the game against Austin Peay due to injury and did not return.

“I don’t have a list in front of me, but you want to be specific? Who do you want to know about?” Saban said. “He’s got a twisted ankle, he’ll be day to day.”

Various other reporters then chimed in with other names for Saban. He obliged only as much as necessary.

“(Jahmyr) Gibbs has a twisted ankle, he should start practicing on Monday,” Saban said. “(Cameron) Latu‘s got a twisted ankle, he should start practicing next week as well. (Eli) Ricks is cleared concussion protocol, so I think he’ll be able to start practicing Monday.”

Alabama sits at 9-2 on the season, with an outside shot at the College Football Playoff if chaos breaks loose. Of course, the Crimson Tide have to take care of the Tigers to even remotely begin to entertain that as a possibility.

Nick Saban encourages reporters to ‘do your homework’ when asking for Alabama injury report

Finishing up his press conference following the Austin Peay win, Saban left reporters with a bit of a life lesson, using the Alabama injury report as his teaching tool.

You can’t just expect things to be handed to you.

“You have to ask. You have to do your homework,” Saban said. “I am not bringing an injury report in here and telling you. So you want to know about a specific guy? I’ll be glad to share the information. But I don’t have an injury report.”

Saban then closed things down, walking away from the lectern with a wisp of a smile.

“You know how much I appreciate you all, thank you so much,” he said.