Nick Saban heaps high praise on Pete Golding after Broyles Award nomination

Pete Golding and the Alabama defense have been a bright spot for the Crimson Tide this season. Alabama enters Saturday’s game against Austin Peay with the No. 18-ranked total defense in the country, and that success earned Golding a nomination for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant.

That led to some high praise from Nick Saban.

Saban spoke highly of Golding during his Wednesday press conference, acknowledging the job he’s done as defensive coordinator over the last five years in his role. Golding has been the subject of some criticism this season from fans, especially after Alabama’s loss to Tennessee last month. Still, Saban had plenty of good things to say about his coordinator.

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“I think Pete has done a really, really good job,” Saban said. “He’s very bright. He articulates well with the players. He’s a good teacher. I think he’s a good motivator. I think the players respond well to him. He’s added some things that have helped us get better. He’s done a very good job with the personnel that we have, and I just really appreciate the really good job that he’s done.

“I think he’s made really positive steps every year since he’s been here. I love hiring younger guys like that and let them grow and develop in the organization, and he’s certainly done a fantastic job of that.”

The Alabama defense also ranks second in the SEC in scoring defense behind Georgia, holding teams to 18.9 points per game this season. The Crimson Tide will have a good opportunity to continue that success this week against Austin Peay before next week’s Iron Bowl matchup against Auburn.

Nick Saban provides Eli Ricks, Jahmyr Gibbs injury updates before Austin Peay game

Alabama is readying for its final non-conference test of the season, set to face Austin Peay this weekend before the Iron Bowl a week later. Coach Nick Saban provided Eli Ricks and Jahmyr Gibbs injury updates on Wednesday, ahead of the game.

Gibbs suffered an ankle injury in the team’s 30-24 win over Ole Miss and didn’t play much in the second half. Ricks, meanwhile, left the game on the first play after suffering a head injury.

“They’re kind of day-to-day in terms of how they’re doing, what they’re doing,” Saban said Wednesday after practice. “We won’t be able to make that determination until closer to the game.”