Nick Saban discusses gameday music choices in Alabama locker room

If you believe Nick Saban bounces his head to blaring rap music before big games, the Alabama head coach has bad news. When a reporter recently asked Saban what his music of choice was before contests, he provided a classic answer.

“I don’t really listen to music before the game. We always play ‘Gimme Shelter’ going home after the game. But I don’t listen to music before the game. I’m kind of thinking about, you know, have we covered everything we need to cover? [Are] the players ready to go? And [I] try to anticipate what might be a problem in the game at some point,” Saban said.

Not the exciting response, but the honest one. After all, fun and games aren’t the secret ingredient behind a dynasty. Since joining the Crimson Tide in 2007, Saban has led Alabama to six national championship victories.

The 71-year-old head coach is due for another one. Alabama has never gone three-straight years without winning a national title since the creation of the College Football Playoff in 2014. The Crimson Tide last won a national championship in 2020.

Although Saban doesn’t blast any hip-hop before hitting the field, his players can’t say the same. Nonetheless, Saban believes that music has a deeper meaning than motivation.

“If you walk around in a locker room, you can get entertained quite a bit because most people are listening to music, which I think is a way the players are trying to relax a little bit and curb their anxiety. And I think that’s a good thing, but I just never did that,” Saban said.

Perhaps Saban should give it a try. It wouldn’t be the only unusual sight in Tuscaloosa this season. Alabama will have a new offensive and defensive coordinator in Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele this season.

Saban’s fellow coaches aren’t the only ones who lack Alabama experience. The Crimson Tide return just 40% of its production from last season, according to ESPN’s Bill Connelly. The low figure has Alabama ranked 125th out of 133 FBS teams in returning production.

Even without a little extra motivation in his ears, Saban isn’t afraid of the challenge.

“I think experience matters, I really do, but I also think that when you have young players who are hungry and have great energy and enthusiasm, that’s helpful to the team chemistry, as well,” Saban said.

Saban and his hungry crew will kick off the 2023 campaign on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State.