Nick Saban discusses coaching relationship with QB Bryce Young

Alabama head coach Nick Saban went into detail on Monday about his relationship with his sophomore quarterback Bryce Young.

The two shared a moment on Saturday, captured by ESPN’s cameras, that showed the coaching legend in a deep one-on-one moment with the Heisman candidate.

“He’s an easy guy to coach, he tries to do everything the right way,” Saban said. “He wants to do everything the right way. He always prepares well for the game, he’s got a great personality. He’s got really good leadership qualities about him. It’s really important to him to sort of be the best that he can be, which you always love in competitors and always love in players.”

Nick Saban has a talk with Bryce Young on the sideline.pic.twitter.com/dnUIJLM5xd

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 24, 2021

Bryce Young hasn’t always been perfect for Alabama. He had a 58% completion rating and a pick in the Tide’s loss to Texas A&M. However, it’s his willingness to be coached that Nick Saban appreciates most.

“Bryce is always receptive to those things and he’s one of those guys that’s never defensive about any corrections because he really takes it like in terms of use that experience, that failure even as an opportunity to grow and get better,” Saban said.

Young was electric against Tennessee, throwing for a career-high 371 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 56 yards rushing with two additional scores on the ground. It is the second straight game that Young has four total touchdowns. Young’s performance earned him the best Week 8 offensive performance in the SEC.

On the season, Bryce Young is top 10 in the country in both passing yards (2,453) and completion percentage (70%). Behind Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh, he also has one of the best touchdown-interception ratios in the nation at 26-to-3.

To top Mac Jones in the Bama record books, Young needs to average 136 passing yards per game (more if they don’t make it to the title game). He needs 17 more touchdowns to match Tua Tagovailoa’s 43 for the single-season record.

Saban, Bama bounce back

Alabama has bounced back after losing to Texas A&M a couple of weeks ago.

While many questioned Bama’s status as a contender for the College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide are now back at the top of the odds behind Georgia.

Alabama is 7-1 on the season after Saturday’s 52-24 victory over Tennessee.

The Tide will be at home for the next three weeks after the bye, hosting LSU, New Mexico State, and Arkansas. Then, Saban and Alabama wrap up the regular season with a trip to Auburn in late November.