LOOK: Former Texas star, Fox analyst praises Nick Saban for his postgame comments

For just the third time since Nick Saban took over in Tuscaloosa, Alabama wakes up with a national championship loss. All three have been to different head coaches, with former Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart winning with Georgia on Monday.

After the game, Saban was talking to the media with quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson. The two players had answered all of their questions and were heading back to the locker room before Saban stopped them

The head coach stopped his players and delivered a message about how the loss will not define them. Former Texas Longhorn player and current Fox analyst Emmanuel Acho applauded Saban for the move the day after.

“All coaches and parents please watch this,” Acho said via Twitter. “These 50 seconds by Nick Saban will transform these young men for the rest of their life. Coaches and parents make sure you affirm your children/ athletes even in defeat.”

Acho spent four seasons with the Texas program and played for a national championship during the 2009 season. Saban was on the other end, getting his first ring with the Crimson Tide so Acho knows exactly what both Young and Aderson are going through.

Nick Saban sends message to Bryce Young, Will Anderson

Losing any game can be tough for players, especially a national championship. Check out Saban’s full statement from the press conference below.

“These two guys sitting up here, they’re not defined by one game,” Saban said. “They played great for us all year, they were great competitors, great leaders on this team and they contributed tremendously to the success of this team. And we would not be here without them.”

Saban went on to say that while Alabama came up short of its ultimate goal, Young and Anderson had great seasons that should not go unnoticed just because a championship wasn’t won.

“And both of them take responsibility for the loss, but both of them contributed in a lot of ways, in a positive way, to giving us a chance to win and a chance to be here to have an opportunity to win,” Saban added.

“So, I just want to thank them for that and let everybody know how proud I am of these two guys.”

Both will be back next season, looking to avenge their national championship loss. Their 2022 season will begin on Sept. 3 against Utah State at Bryant Denny Stadium.