Tide’s Oats: Not offended by Saban’s comments
LOUISVILLE, Ky.– Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats stated Thursday that he was not offended by remarks Nick Saban made regarding Saban’s handling of a football player’s arrest, in contrast to how the top-ranked Crimson Tide have handled the controversy surrounding All-American freshman Brandon Miller.Saban on Monday suspended freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell after his arrest on a drug charge.In handing down the penalty, Saban stated,”Everybody’s got a chance to make choices and choices.”He included,”There’s no such thing as being in the wrong location at the wrong time.” The” no such thing as being in the wrong place at the incorrect time”
remark was perceived by many to be directed at Oats, who hasn’t disciplined Miller for being at the scene of a Jan. 15 fatal shooting including a former colleague in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.Editor’s Picks Oats initially stated Miller was”in the wrong spot at the wrong time”during the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. Darius
Miles and another man have actually been charged with capital murder in Harris’ death, and police reports state that Miles texted Miller to bring him his weapon ahead of the shooting.Miller has actually not been charged with any crime. Miller’s lawyer stated the forward never handled the gun and didn’t know it was going to be used for a criminal activity.
Miller, who has a guard with him at the NCAA tournament since of threats he’s received, is complying in the investigation.Oats said he spoke with Saban on Monday night, adding that he did not take Saban’s remark as direct criticism.” I have actually got a lots of respect for him,”Oats stated during a Thursday news conference.” He has actually been greatly helpful of our program considering that he got here. He states it all the time.
He desires the entire athletic department to do well. He has actually been at numerous games this year. “Saban, asked Thursday at Alabama’s pro day if he wanted to clarify his comments, stated:”There’s nothing to clarify. I don’t enjoy basketball coaches ‘interview. The number of years have I been training? Never ever watched one. Never listened to what other people state. That was strictly about our program and what we do and had nothing to do with any person else. I do not make any comments about anybody else. And we hope the basketball team does truly, actually well.”Saban went to Alabama’s practice Wednesday. The Crimson Tide face No. 5 seed San Diego State in a South Area semifinal in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday night, and Miller, who has been dealing with a groin injury, is anticipated to be in the lineup.Miller did not resolve Saban’s remarks. “It was a great experience in practice for me, “Miller said of Saban’s presence.”I always grew up being an Alabama football fan, so Coach Saban has always been a terrific role model for me. It was simply excellent simply seeing him an arm’s length away from me.
“Oats has apologized for both his comments and for allowing a pregame intro in which Miller was patted down by another colleague. The fourth-year coach and the leading team in the country have been scrutinized for enabling Miller to continue to play. Miller is the Southeastern Conference Gamer of the Year.The Associated Press and ESPN’s Alex Scarborough added to this report.