Nick Saban reveals special aspect of relationship with Cecil Hurt

Cecil Hurt covered Alabama football and basketball for the Tuscaloosa News since 1982. That’s nearly four decades. The former beat writer for the Crimson Tide passed away on Tuesday due to complications from pneumonia. During his time covering Alabama football, he established a very special relationship with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, something very few people in the media can attest to. In Wednesday’s press conference, Saban spoke with reporters about his special relationship with Hurt.

“I’d like to send our deepest condolences to Cecil Hurt’s family, friends, all the people that enjoyed the columns he wrote through the years,” Saban began. “I know it was his passion to do a great job in terms of how he covered Alabama athletics.

“He was a good friend. He was actually a trusted companion, to me. I confided a lot of things in him. He never violated my trust. I thought the guy was one of the brightest, neatest big picture thinkers ever that I’ve been associated with in the media environment.

“I truly just loved the guy — loved his sense of humor, loved the way he went about his work and he’ll certainly be missed by all of us. But our thoughts and condolences go out to his family.”

It’s well known that Saban has a somewhat contentious relationship with the media, so anytime the Alabama head coach says that he “loved” someone, those words carry a tremendous amount of weight. He’s not exactly known for being the warm and fuzzy type, but he has had rare moments over the years where he has shown his lighter side.

Cecil Hurt biography

Hurt served as the Tuscaloosa News’ sports editor and columnist and was a regular guest on local, regional and national sports programs.

He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1981 with a degree in English and a minor in psychology. He was born in the Tuscaloosa area, where he established himself as the premier authority on Alabama football and basketball.

Cecil Hurt played a major role in the Tuscaloosa News’ 2011 Pulitzer Prize win, providing unique coverage of the tornado which ravaged the city and claimed the lives of several residents. In addition, Hurt received the 2019 Mel Allen Media Award from the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and was a two-time National Sports Media Association’s Alabama Sportswriter of the Year.

On3’s James Fletcher III also contributed to this report.