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Newsstand: Alabama players' reaction to Michigan loss contributed to Nick Saban retirement

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•03/07/24•

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Tweets Of The Day

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban did an interview with ESPN that shed some light on his retirement following his last game, a 27-20 overtime loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He revealed that some of his decision to leave the game had to do with the way his players reacted to losing to the Maize and Blue.

“I want to be clear that wasn’t the reason, but some of those events certainly contributed,” Saban told ESPN. “I was really disappointed in the way that the players acted after the game. You gotta win with class. You gotta lose with class. We had our opportunities to win the game and we didn’t do it, and then showing your ass and being frustrated and throwing helmets and doing that stuff … that’s not who we are and what we’ve promoted in our program.”

The conversations with his players following the loss to Michigan weren’t what he hoped for.

“I thought we could have a hell of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80 percent of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?” Saban said. “Our program here was always built on how much value can we create for your future and your personal development, academic success in graduating and developing an NFL career on the field.

“So I’m saying to myself, ‘Maybe this doesn’t work anymore, that the goals and aspirations are just different and that it’s all about how much money can I make as a college player?’ I’m not saying that’s bad. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that’s never been what we were all about, and it’s not why we had success through the years.”

Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil is a potential first-round pick. He played three years at wide receiver, before transitioning to nickel back his last two with the Wolverines. He said nobody prepares players for the NFL like Michigan does.

Swany Wolverine posts a mock up of Michigan’s national championship rings.

Sean Magee has officially been named Michigan football’s general manager.

Per a Michigan release, Magee will “oversee all aspects of the recruiting and player personnel departments as well as coordinate the program’s NIL initiatives. He will handle the identification, evaluation and recruitment of prospective student-athletes in conjunction with the head coach and staff and manage the roster of current student-athletes while identifying future needs for the program.”

ESPN analyst Louis Riddick sounds off on critics of Michigan quarterback and draft hopeful J.J. McCarthy.

“If the first thing out of your mouth when offering an ‘opinion’ on J.J. McCarthy is about him not being the focal point of their offensive approach at Michigan, you are telling on yourself and your inability, or unwillingness, to project future performance,” Riddick wrote. “If you actually studied him, you would see why many in the NFL are very optimistic about his potential.”

Quote Of The Day

“Whoever the head coach is doesn’t matter to me. The overall program and what it stands is what’s important to me. But I am looking forward to building that relationship with Sherrone Moore.”

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy safety Zech Fort, the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class

Headlines Of The Day

• EJ Holland, The Wolverine: Top 15 DB Zech Fort goes in-depth on Michigan, Sherrone Moore hire
• Zach Libby, The Wolverine: 10 most desired Michigan targets in the 2025 class
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Michigan WR Tyler Morris reflects on Rose Bowl touchdown, talks greater opportunities ahead
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: ‘They’re fully bought in’: Strength coach Justin Tress details first training session, address to Michigan team after promotion
• Anthony Broome, The Wolverine: Mailbag: Will Michigan have the best defense in the Big Ten in 2024?

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