Nick Saban reveals what's made 2023 Alabama squad 'a lot of fun to coach'

Alabama is officially back in the College Football Playoff thanks to an impressive turnaround this season with a team that Nick Saban has having a blast coaching.

For Saban, the lessened expectations this season compared to others did take a burden off the team. Rather than starting the year at No. 1 and never leaving, the Tide were knocked from their perch and looked in rough shape after losing to Texas and barely defeating USF with a carousel of quarterbacks taking snaps.

After those performances, Alabama was counted, which is rare territory under Nick Saban. As he notes, that disrespect gave this 2023 group something to go and prove.

“I think the big thing is, because we got off to a rough start, the team had something to prove,” Nick Saban shared on the Pat McAfee Show when asked why he’s enjoyed coaching this team so much. He also explained that the lack of high expectations was a nice change of pace compared to past seasons.

“So, what’s been the case for us in many years of the past is… there’s such a high expectation and a high level in the beginning that creates a lot of anxiety for people to try to satisfy those expectations, which takes some of the fun out of it.”

Instead, this year’s team had to get back to work in order to remind the nation how strong Alabama still is.

“What this year’s team has been is a lot of fun to coach, because everybody was sort of out to try to prove something, so everybody was working, getting better, we had great team chemistry. There was a lot of positive energy internally on the team to, you know, inspire other people to do well, and everybody was willing to put the work in and make the commitment to do the things that we needed to do.”

Such commitment to each other and to working hard in practice has paid off, as Nick Saban sees a real ability to respond positively to adversity with this group.

“I think one of the great competitive things that this team has showed is the ability to overcome adversity, which is what’s helped us have some of the really good victories that we’ve had throughout the season.”

After some of the ups and downs Alabama has experienced throughout the regular season, this Crimson Tide squad is ready for anything Michigan can throw at them.