Nick Saban reveals how he blocks outside noise: 'I'm probably our greatest critic'

The noise doesn’t both Nick Saban. The criticism he’s concerned with is internal. During an appearance on “Hey Coach & the Nick Saban Show,” the Alabama head coach addressed his lofty standards for himself and his team.

“I’m probably our greatest critic,” Saban said. “I don’t listen to the internet. I don’t listen to what people say or think, not that I disrespect what they think, I just don’t pay any attention to it because I don’t want it to affect me and how I think about what we need to do to get the outcome that we want.

“People may have those expectations for us as a team and for me as a coach, but I don’t really pay any attention to that because if you do, you just set yourself up for failure. Now, all of a sudden, you’re worrying about the expectation and the outcome, which creates a lot of anxiety.”

Saban has avoided that anxiety since Week 2 when Alabama fell to Texas 34-24. Since then, the Crimson Tide have rattled off eight-straight wins, most recently throttling Kentucky in 49-21 fashion. In the win, Alabama held the ‘Cats to just 253 yards of offense while stacking up 444 yards of its own.

Nonetheless, the noise persists. Alabama hasn’t won the National Championship in two years. The program is on the edge of not reaching the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row. Questions surround Saban’s potency in the modern college football landscape.

Nick Saban keeps his eyes on the prize

With a whirlwind of worries around him, Saban keeps his eyes forward and his legs moving.

“I have pressure, but my pressure is coming from me,” Saban said. “You try to achieve with the coaching staff, the people in the organization, the standard of excellence… Everyone that has anything to do with a player in terms of his development, we have a high expectation and a high standard for how they do that.

“Ultimately, we’re trying to help [the players] be more successful in life. I know that from a fan’s perspective, there’s nothing that matters but winning or losing the game. But from a coaching perspective, you’re trying to teach lessons in life that are going to help them be winners in life.”

With seven national titles under his belt, Saban knows a few things about being a winner. On Saturday, Saban will look to add another victory to his collection as Alabama squares off against Chattanooga at noon ET on ESPN+.