'Nobody is entitled to a position,' Alabama Coach Nick Saban said Monday. 'Everybody’s earned the position they’re in by showing they have the capability and ability to do it on a consistent basis. And that’s something you have to continue.'
From the school-record 17 penalties, special teams mistakes and general defensive breakdowns, Alabama’s 52-49 loss at Tennessee left a minefield of what Nick Saban calls teachable moments.
“I think we’ve gotta make players more accountable in practice for doing things correctly, paying attention to detail and doing the little things right,” Saban said. “We can’t go hang ‘em up for doing this. They’re our players. “But,” Saban said, “we can’t continue to tolerate guys that aren’t doing the things they need to do to be successful. Nobody is entitled to a position. Everybody’s earned the position they’re in by showing they have the capability and ability to do it on a consistent basis. And that’s something you have to continue.
The leadership in the locker room is doing its part to fix the mindset. Linebacker Will Anderson, who said, said he pulled some of the veteran players aside Sunday when they were at the football facility.