Nick Saban explains decision to start Jake Coker at QB

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Nick Saban talked all offseason about wanting a quarterback to "take the bull by the horns" and win the team, and it appears Jake Coker did just that.

During Saban's weekly radio show on Thursday, guest host Andre Ware was careful not to use the word starter. But Ware, a former Heisman trophy winner at Houston and current ESPN analyst, asked Saban what went into the decision to allow Coker to "go first" in the team's season opener against Wisconsin on Saturday.

Being a fifth-year senior, having two years of experience in the system and his overall improvement gave Coker the edge in Saban's eyes.

"I just feel like he deserved the opportunity to play," Saban said. "I thought he played well in the game. I think it's helped his confidence tremendously."

Coker played the entire first half and the majority of the third quarter before being replaced by Cooper Bateman late in the third. Coker finished 15-of-21 for 213 yards and a touchdown. Coker had seven completions go for more than 16 yards, which Saban defines as an explosive play.

Saban said Coker has "improved a lot here." He stated that Coker gets rid of the ball quicker, is more quicker and praised Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin for doing a "good job" helping Coker develop since transferring to Alabama from Florida State.

Those improvements coupled with the chemistry that Coker has built with teammates gave him an edge over Bateman, Alec Morris and others.

"Cooper Bateman's a really good athlete and has done a good job well," Saban said. "I just felt like, it was a gut feeling that this was the right guy for our team. I talked to players a lot too. A lot of our players, sort of without saying, had a little confidence in the guy. And I think that's always important."

-- Contact Anniston Star Sports Writer Marq Burnett at mburnett@annistonstar.com. On Twitter:@Marq_Burnett.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 9:55 PM with the headline "Nick Saban explains decision to start Jake Coker at QB ."