While donning his “Alabama Jones” hat on ESPN’s College GameDay, Nick Saban spoke about some distractions surrounding No. 8 Ohio State football. The seven-time college football national champion head coach explained how he tried to insulate players from “external factors.” A lot of the noise surrounding the Buckeyes has little to do with what’s happened on the field but instead has focused on the future of the program and head coach Ryan Day’s future, as media and fan unrest about the loss to Michigan has drowned out the team’s success this season. Saban explained that players and coaches can only control what they control. His focus wasn’t on outcomes; it was about helping players reach their full potential–doing what was necessary to make everyone better.
I used to tell the players all the time. Why do you care about what some guy puts on the internet–who’s some fat guy in his underwear, living in his mother’s basement… Why do you care? Why does that mean anything to you? Why does that affect you in any way, shape or form? “We should be focused on what we can control and what we can do.” As Saban spoke, he elicited laughs and reactions from the GameDay panel.
Ohio State hosts No. 9 Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.
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