Alabama coach Nick Saban was called for unsportsmanlike conduct during the fourth quarter of Friday’s 31-14 win in the Rose Bowl over Notre Dame.
Saban explained the penalty after the game but noted it was the first time he has been called for it.
“I was out on the field about two steps because I was yelling at one of our linebackers that didn’t drop in the right direction,” he said. “Which I’ve done that pretty much all of my career. It wasn’t during a live ball. I guess, technically, you’re not supposed to do that.
“Look, I’m not criticizing anybody and I’m not complaining. I’m just saying that I’ve been a head coach for 20-something years and I’ve never been called for that. But I got called today and I’ll have to do better next time.”
Although Saban might not have been penalized specifically for that reason, he has received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as recent as during a 2019 game against Duke.
The 15-yard penalty in Friday’s game came after an incomplete pass by Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book and advanced the ball to the Alabama 25-yard line. That drive eventually ended in Book scoring a touchdown.
The game was officiated by a Big Ten crew led by referee John O’Neill. That crew did not throw any flags until early in the third quarter, but Alabama finished with six penalties for 59 yards while Notre Dame was called three times for 25 yards.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.
