Nick Saban Takes Subtle Jab at ESPN Colleague Paul Finebaum Over Criticism
Throughout his long and successful career as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Nick Saban often found himself the subject of criticism from ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum. Finebaum, known for his sharp and often biting commentary, would frequently target various coaches, with Saban being no stranger to his critiques. However, despite the history of rivalry between the two, Saban now finds himself as a colleague of Finebaum after transitioning to an analyst role on ESPN’s College GameDay.
That, however, didn’t stop Saban from taking a subtle shot at Finebaum during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. The conversation, which centered around College Football Playoff scenarios involving teams like SMU, Clemson, and Alabama, quickly turned to the subject of media criticism and how it impacts coaches. Saban, who had years of experience facing the press as the head coach of Alabama, was asked about handling external pressure. His response made it clear that he wasn’t one to focus on the opinions of others—especially not Finebaum’s.
“Whether you’re Ryan Day, Kalen DeBoer, whoever you are—even when I was involved in coaching in these games, and we lost some games I got criticized for and rightfully so—but I was always our best critic,” Saban said. He continued, “I wasn’t worried about what everybody else said or what everybody thought or what was in the press about how we played or what we should’ve done or shouldn’t have done.”
Saban went on to emphasize that throughout his career, his primary focus was always on improving his team and preparing for the next challenge. He noted, “I put more pressure on myself to do a good job, and to put pressure on the other team by what we did. I was not ever focused on what everybody said, thought or what was on the Internet, or what Paul Finebaum thought—I was never concerned about any of those things.”
"I was always our best critic & I wasn't worried about what everybody else said..
I put more pressure on myself to do a good job & I was never concerned about what guys like Paul Finebaum thought" ~ Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/kbZ8dQRMiS
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 6, 2024
While his comments were a broad statement about how he approached his coaching duties, it was also a clear reference to the criticism Finebaum has often leveled against him. The remark serves as a subtle jab at Finebaum, reminding everyone that Saban’s mindset was never swayed by external opinions, no matter the source.
This exchange also brings to light the mentality that Saban has instilled in his teams throughout the years. He is widely known for his “rat poison” philosophy, a concept he popularized to encourage his players to ignore the outside noise. Saban believes that when media praise or criticism seeps into the locker room, it can have a detrimental effect on a team’s focus and performance. The “rat poison” phrase was coined to describe how positive media coverage could be just as harmful as negative attention, leading to overconfidence and distraction.
Saban’s comments, particularly in the context of his history with Finebaum, also serve as a reminder to coaches and teams who find themselves on the College Football Playoff bubble to remain focused. As the playoff race heats up, distractions abound, and the pressure to perform can be overwhelming. Saban’s approach to handling criticism is a valuable lesson for coaches and players who may be feeling the weight of external opinions. By emphasizing self-reflection and internal pressure, Saban highlights the importance of staying grounded and not letting the media shape a team’s mindset during crucial moments.
With the College Football Playoff selection nearing, Saban’s “no noise” mentality is particularly relevant. Coaches who allow themselves to be consumed by what others are saying or predicting about their teams risk losing focus on what really matters: performing when it counts most. Saban’s advice to tune out the noise is not just about silencing criticism but also about staying true to one’s own principles and goals, regardless of public perception.
For Saban, the key to success in high-stakes moments is a combination of self-awareness and staying focused on what’s within one’s control. Whether it’s coaching decisions or media narratives, Saban has always believed that the best approach is to focus on the task at hand and not be swayed by outside influences—something he clearly still carries into his current role as an analyst, even as he subtly distances himself from past critics like Finebaum.