Alabama head coach Nick Saban was disappointed to lose the National Championship Game to Georgia but still praised his players.
Nick Saban had a chance to win his seventh national championship with Alabama, but Georgia got in the way on Monday night.
The Bulldogs outlasted the Crimson Tide in Indianapolis, riding immense red zone defense, chunk plays and a late pick-six to victory.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Alabama, who beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game but lost the rematch.
What did Saban have to say about the loss?
Nick Saban postgame press conference after Alabama loss
After the game, Saban tried to keep it positive around his team.
“We’ve had a lot of guys critical parts of this team that didn’t participate in this game, but I’m extremely proud of this team. I hate it that having such a great season and overcoming so much that we didn’t finish the fourth quarter than we did,” Saban said, per Ross Dellenger.
The head coach put the focus on what the Tide have accomplished.
“Nobody can take the SEC Championship away from this team. Nobody can take the Cotton Bowl championship away from this team,” he said, per Michael Casagrande.
Saban also had nothing but praise for Georgia and their head coach Kirby Smart, who used to be an assistant under Saban.
“I love Kirby, I think Kirby has a lot of respect for us. He did a great job for us for a long time, if we had to lose a national championship I’d want to lose to one of our former assistants that did a great job for us,” Saban said.
Nick Saban gave a special message to Bryce Young and Will Anderson
Saban stopped Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. to praise them for their effort this season.
“These two guys that are sitting up here, they’re not defined by one game,” Saban said. He went on to thank both for what they’ve given the Tide this year.
Nick Saban revealed more about Jameson Williams’ injury
Viewers on ESPN might have heard Saban tell Smart at midfield that Alabama feared Jameson Williams may have suffered an ACL injury.
In the postgame press conference, Saban said they wouldn’t know the extent of the injury until an MRI was completed.
He also shared something more about Williams.
“He actually wanted to play in the second half and the medical staff wouldn’t let him. Which I think was smart because he has a future playing football,” Saban said per Charlie Potter.
Now that he’s answered all the questions, Saban will undoubtedly be planning all the ways to bring Alabama back stronger next year.
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