Bryce Young cites consistency, accountability as biggest traits learned from Nick Saban

As legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban steps away from college football, he’s been remembered fondly by those who knew him as a coach. In particular, he’s been praised by his former players, like Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young.

While making an appearance on Always College Football, Young explained that the two biggest lessons Saban taught him are things he takes on and off the field.

“Probably the two biggest things that I always talk about that I take from him in all aspects of my life is his consistency and accountability,” Bryce Young said.

Young explained that both accountability and consistency were lessons that Saban instilled in the team, not just by telling them but by living up to those standards himself. That started with being the same person no matter what day it was.

“How consistent he is, obviously you know he’s the same person every single day as far as demanding the best out of himself out of us. Same person when he walks into the building. How hard he works. Obviously, there’s no change in week-to-week how he coaches us, whether it’s the Iron Bowl or it’s whoever we’re playing, or whether it’s an FCS team. He’s that same consistency and you can expect he’s not gonna let anything slide whether it’s summer or the day before the national championship. Like, that consistency is something that in all aspects of life I’ve definitely learned from.”

The other key factor that Nick Saban instilled for players like Bryce Young was accountability across the board at Alabama.

“Then, accountability. The one thing I’ve always respected about him is, obviously, we all know he’ll get after us, and that’s kind of the side the media sees, but he’s that way with the coaches. He’s that way with the rest of the staff. He’s that way with himself, first and foremost, he’ll always be the first to be like, ‘I didn’t do this and I should have done this,’ when he’s talking about things. He’ll always take accountability for himself and it’s all, whenever he gets after someone, it’s all warranted. You know there’s no games behind it, there’s no politics,” Young said.

“Like, if he got after you, you deserved it because he’ll get after anyone. Just that level of accountability. Those things are definitely that stuff that I take in all aspects.”

While at Alabama, Bryce Young thrived, winning the Heisman Trophy and becoming a first overall NFL Draft pick. Clearly, the lessons learned from Nick Saban were vital to that.

Kalen DeBoer explains why he is the correct choice as Nick Saban’s successor

Alabama hired Kalen DeBoer to replace Nick Saban. It’s not going to be an easy job, but DeBoer believes he’s the right choice to be Saban’s successor.

“You just said two things that I think are impossible, right? Filling his shoes. It is impossible. And I say that humbly. I believe in what I can do as far as continue to take places that are in a good spot and building on what is already here. I think there’s a piece where you have to have a confidence in yourself. Because there will be things that are second-guessed,” DeBoer said.

“When there’s so much continuity that’s happened for so many years, at such a high level, it’s awesome, right? Who doesn’t want to be a part of — if you’re truly a competitor — a part of that ultimate, top-end goal of being at the top, being the best? I don’t expect to fill coach Saban’s shoes exactly how he did it but I know that there’s an expectation and I know it can help our program, together, reach the same goals that have been set forth with championships, doing it in a way that’s done with class, done with integrity, as we build better men.”