Saban says team will block out any distractions
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Asked to address reports of Kirby Smart being named Georgia's next head coach, Alabama coach Nick Saban wouldn't speculate.
''It's not my real position to confirm any of this stuff, and I really can't confirm it,''; Saban said Wednesday. ''But I will say this: Kirby has done an outstanding job here for us. He's worked really hard to do a great job with our defense for nine years now. I think the guy would, and I've said this many times before, do a great job as a head coach.''
After 15 seasons, Georgia parted ways with longtime coach Mark Richt and has decided to replace him with the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator.
Smart is still in the midst of coaching the Tide's defense and inside linebackers as Alabama prepares for Saturday's SEC championship game against Florida.
''I think that everybody in this building is very, very focused on what we're trying to do for our team, because regardless of what anybody's opportunities are in the future, all those things get enhanced by us playing well in this game,''; Saban said. ''So I think that's what everybody's focus should be, and I have no doubt about anybody in our organization focusing on this.''
While Saban believes everyone has the same mission in mind, he took the time to address the potential of coaches leaving for other jobs.
''As I told the players today, everybody's focused on what we're doing for the game,''; Saban said. ''The coaches really care about the players, and I think the players care about the coaches. And if you really care about the coaches and you know a guy's done a great job and he's worked hard to create another opportunity for himself, you ought to be happy for him.''
With a chance at back-to-back SEC titles and a return trip to the College Football Playoff on the line, Alabama's players are doing their parts to block out any outside distractions.
''He just kind of let us know, we have to take it one game at a time, don't let anything distract us,'' Tide tight end O.J. Howard said. ''We have a goal in mind. We need to get ready to accomplish that. I think our team is ready to take up the challenge we have coming up this weekend.''
Added Tide defensive lineman D.J. Pettway, ''We've got to focus on the game, we've got to make sure we prepare for Saturday. Whatever he (Smart) has going on, and it doesn't really affect what we have to do, because we have to go out and get it Saturday. We've been working for this all year.''
While addressing the current team, Saban planted the seed for players who'll be returning next season, and possibly for any potential recruits considering Alabama.
''You shouldn't be worried about it, you shouldn't be concerned about it,''; Saban said. ''And you also should know that we've had these situations in the past and we always seem to bring the next best good coach in, so you'll continue to get good coaching and help you develop as a football player.
''I think the players kind of get it so everybody's kind of zeroed in on what we have to do on Saturday.''
As he routinely does during his rants, Saban raised his voice a little, thumped the podium and blame the ''media''; for its role in creating the story. But this time, he brought the Coca-Cola bottle that sits atop the podium into his act.
''Don't ask me any more questions about that, 'cause that's all I have to say about it,'' Saban said. ''I don't have anything else to say about it. So don't ask. There is no more. I know you would like to some kind of way extract something out of this bottle that's not there. It's not there. You all speculate and create things and then you want people to respond to it. You can get this bottle to respond to it because I don't know anything more about it. I told you everything I know, so you can ask the bottle but don't ask me.'';
Contact Anniston Star Sports Writer Marq Burnett at mburnett@annistonstar.com. On Twitter:@Marq_Burnett.
This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 9:49 PM with the headline "Saban says team will block out any distractions ."