Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Saban explains practice mindset he wants Alabama players to have

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 10/12/23

Being a high-level college athlete is much like being in show business. You're only as good as your last show. That is, at least, according to Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who knows a thing or two about coaching high-level athletes.

Speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show," Saban talked about the mindset he expects from his players. The 5-1 Crimson Tide haven't been perfect this season, but they're still ranked No. 11 nationally and still on top of the SEC West with a 3-0 conference record so far.

It comes down to consistency, per Saban, and always putting your best foot forward.

“I think that players really need to understand, the team needs to understand it but every individual player needs to understand it, is it’s almost like being in show business,” Saban explained, via On3. “You audition for a part and you either get it or you don’t, but the next time you audition you got to do the same thing, whether you got the part last time or not. So, whether you win a game the last time or not.”

The idea is that no matter what, you prepare the same — whether it's the Iron Bowl game against Auburn or a Week 1 matchup against Middle Tennessee State, coming off a win or coming off a loss.

The preparation remains the same. The performance remains consistent.

"The team needs to understand it but every individual player also needs to understand it..

I want every guy on the team trying to increase his value every day, every practice, every play and in every game" ~ Nick Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Y2Va6B4wCs
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 12, 2023

"In show business, you’re only as good as your last game; you’re only as good as your last play. And that’s certainly how it is in sports," Saban said. "So, if players can’t keep the right mindset of what they need to do to play well all the time, even when you’re practicing, there’s pro scouts out there watching practice, whatever it is, you’re either creating more value for yourself about how you’re going about your work or you’re not because what players don’t really understand is people are looking for reasons not to pick you."

Perhaps Saban doesn't want his players preparing for games like Mötley Crüe prepared for its shows, but the point remains that you're only as good as the last thing you put on tape.

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