Nick Saban, the former head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, expressed his displeasure regarding an incident involving Diego Pavia during a recent game. Pavia, the quarterback for the Vanderbilt Commodores, reportedly warmed up with a kneel-down play prior to the October 4, 2025, matchup in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Saban’s reaction was shared during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he indicated that such behavior would not have been tolerated on his team.
Coach Saban’s Strong Opinions
During the show, Saban described himself as “pissed” about Pavia’s actions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset and not doing anything that could potentially motivate the opposing team. “I love Diego Pavia, but that would have been a catastrophic player/coach relationship moment before the game,” Saban remarked, adding, “I never wanted our players to ever do anything that was going to affect the other team’s motivation to beat us.” His comments reflect a long-standing philosophy of keeping distractions at bay in high-stakes environments.
Saban further elaborated on his coaching approach, stating, “Don’t ever say anything. Don’t ever give anyone a reason. They got enough reason to beat us. Don’t give them anymore.” This perspective underscores his emphasis on mental preparation and focus, particularly in a competitive arena such as college football.
Game Highlights and Performance
The game itself concluded with the Alabama Crimson Tide defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 30-14. Quarterback Ty Simpson led Alabama with an impressive performance, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Despite starting the game with an interception, Simpson completed 23 of 30 passes, finding targets Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams for scoring plays.
On the ground, Jam Miller contributed significantly, rushing for 136 yards and a touchdown. In contrast, Pavia’s efforts for Vanderbilt included 183 passing yards and 58 rushing yards, but he struggled with turnovers, including an interception and a lost fumble. Vanderbilt’s notable moment came from Sedrick Alexander, who executed a remarkable 65-yard touchdown run.
As the college football season progresses, Saban’s insights and the performances of players like Pavia will continue to be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. The dynamics of coaching, player behavior, and game performance remain crucial elements in the competitive landscape of college athletics.
