WATCH: Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh give insight into teams ahead of the 2024 Rose Bowl
Updated: 8:50 AM CST Jan 1, 2024
For coach Harbaugh, right. Hennessy 米兰体育 13 in Birmingham. How do you, I don't know if the word stop is, is right. But how do you limit Jalen Mro who clearly has gotten better every game this season? Yeah. Uh, I mean, that's *** great question. Um, I mean, really all 11 on our defense. I mean, he's ***, he's *** great player, uh, great runner, uh, 500 some yards of scramble yards, another 250 or so in, in quarterback driven runs, um, outstanding thrower, uh, big offensive line. Um, it's ***, uh, outstanding running backs, tight ends, receivers. Um, yeah, all, all 11 really for us on, uh, on defense and, you know, we've got *** game plan and, uh, you know, getting things, uh, getting things cleaned up but, uh, on, on our toes at all times, you know, I mean, we're gonna, it's ***, it's *** big challenge. Uh, you've played in *** lot of big bowl games throughout your career at Alabama, but it's been almost 15 years since you played in this Rose Bowl. What are some of your fondest memories from playing that national championship game against Texas? Rather it be the lead up to the game, the game itself or, um, just anything you remember. Well, you know, the Rose Bowl has always been *** first-class granddaddy of them all. Uh, growing up in the big 10 for 12 years, it was always the goal to, uh, be able to win the big 10 and get to the Rose Bowl. So that's sort of special and it was special to play in that game. But, um, really haven't thought *** whole lot about it. Uh There's *** lot of challenges that go with this game. So we've been trying to focus on what we need to do to be able to go out and execute and play well in this game um against *** really, really good team. So, um I don't reminisce much about what's happened in the past. I'm kind of looking forward to today and the next day. So, uh we just got to take it one day at *** time. Our next question is going to come from all the way in the back on the right. Um For coach Saban Noel Bloom L WTO L 11 in Toledo Ohio. Coach Saban, you found immediate success in your first head coaching job with the University of Toledo. Um reflecting on that inaugural head coaching season, what is *** coaching philosophy or lesson you acquired in that Toledo job that helps set the tone for the rest of your coaching career until now? Could you repeat that? I couldn't hear very well. Can you repeat the question, please? So you found immediate success in your first head coaching job in at the University of Toledo? Um And so reflecting on that inaugural head coaching season, what is *** philosophy or coaching lesson you learned in that inaugural season? That helps set the tone for the rest of your coaching career until now? Well, II, I think that, you know, initially, uh I was probably, you know, counting on some of the things that I learned from former mentors, whether it was, you know, George Perlis, uh Bill Belichick or whatever, in terms of how they built success in their programs and tried to emulate that as much as we could. But it's always been our philosophy to try to create value for players in terms of their personal development, uh developing careers off the field, developing *** career on the field, being the best that they could be at whatever they choose to do. So that's always been the philosophy. It's always been what we tried to build on and it's worked, you know, fairly well for us through the years and we're going to continue to have that philosophy so that players can be more successful in life because they were involved in the program here. Hey, uh, question for coach Harbaugh, Jamal Kennedy, uh Debbie F 12 news in Montgomery. Um for *** lot of the year your team has been one of the best two teams in the country, but now no pun intended, Alabama comes in rolling with *** lot of momentum. Um maybe even overshadowing your team *** little bit. You are, you sort of maybe embracing, I guess, maybe an, an underdog type role or maybe teams are guys are maybe not talking about Michigan as much. Now as you, as you get ready to face Alabama, there's *** lot to unpack there but uh just, just excited for the game, uh, feel, uh, feel the team's in *** good place and, uh, we're things, things we've learned from being in this, uh, you know, in this, in this game for the last couple of years, we're playing those. Uh I just pretty really locked in, uh, you know, we're ready, ready to go, ready, ready to, uh, to play. It's gonna take one more day though. We still need this state to clean up *** few things. But, uh, I feel like we're in *** really good place, chase good rib with the Tuscaloosa news for, for coach Saban. Um, there's been *** lot of trick plays, gadget plays, et cetera in, in Michigan's offense, at least compared to other teams. Can you speak to the preparation for all that stuff? Well, I think first of all, they do *** great job offensively in being able to create balance, you know, in the offense with runs and passes and play action, passes, really good quarterback, really good runners, really good receivers. Lots of good tight ends, do *** lot of personnel groups and, uh, I think it's *** part of their offense, uh, part of the misdirection that they do to do some of the things that they do that are complementary to the plays that they run. And I think discipline, eye control on defense is really, really important when you, uh, play anyone who has, you know, that kind of diversification in their offense, which I think is really good. Uh, and it's been very effective for him. So, uh, we're going to have to do *** really good job, try to prepare our players for it, but, you know, you never know what's coming up next. So you got to be focused on every play for Coach Harbaugh. This is Hoy RT with local four TV in Detroit since walking off the field at the Fiesta Bowl last year. How much have you seen your quarterback? Jj mccarthy change over the last year? Uh, change grow, uh, would be the better word. I mean, just, uh, phenomenal in his and everything that he does. Um, I would, I would call it growth. I mean, just better each day. I, I see *** better, better today than he was yesterday, better tomorrow than he was today. It's just, that's, that's his mindset. It's, it's, uh, it's fun to be around, it's infectious, uh, you know, rubs off on everybody, including, uh, including us coaches and me. Uh, we follow him anywhere. Uh He's, he's the, uh he's like the kid in the candy store, uh whether we're at *** meeting, you know, at practice. Uh, it just, it's just infectious in every way. His play has been outstanding. Uh And he is really locked in for, for this game for coach Shaven. Uh Talk about if you could talk about Jen Miller as well. Just the progression you've seen. I know we've asked you throughout the year, but this is, I think someone did *** story yesterday about the cake being finished. Do you feel that way? Do you feel like he's at the right spot at the right time? Yeah, I think Jalen has, you know, made *** tremendous amount of progress, you know, throughout the course of the year, *** lot of it has to do with, um, he prepares well for the game. Uh I think that the success of the, that he's had, um has, you know, gradually increased his confidence throughout the course of the year and understanding of the offense. Um And, um, you know, the guy has always been *** great ad Libber uh as *** quarterback in terms of scrambling and making plays when the play breaks down. Uh But I think he's gotten so much better at executing the play, uh reading the play out, getting the ball to the right guys at the right time, distributing the ball more like *** point guard and not thinking he has to make every play and I think that's made him *** very effective player. This is for coach Harbaugh. Uh Isaiah Bond has really stepped up his game. The last few games for Alabama asserted himself as one of the go to guys and your preparation for him. Um What does he do? Well as *** route runner, playmaker receiver that could give you guys some uh difficulties on Monday. Yeah, it creates separation, uh increase the separation, uh you know, snatch the ball out of the air, uh good with the ball of security. It's uh you know, it's like, it's like coach said, it's, it's uh it's *** dangerous offense to, to defend. Uh you know, you have to defend the play and then you have to play, you know, the next play, which is in the same play uh because they, they do such *** good job of uh extending the, extending the play, what it, what has impressed you the most about Caleb Downs and the way that he's kind of played this year as *** freshman. Yeah. Well, Caleb's *** very um special person in terms of his maturity, his leadership. Um he's sort of *** driven guy to really learn and grow and understand. Um I've never seen anybody make *** commitment to the first day. He got there coming up in the office every day trying to learn the defense, learn the coverage, learn the adjustments. Um and um he's *** very instinctive player uh, he loves playing football. He's *** great competitor. So, um, and he's played really, really well for us, you know, all season long, probably as well as any freshman player we ever had in secondary. I asked *** lot of the players yesterday, what their favorite moment was from the season and *** lot of them said the 4th and 31 play in the Iron Bowl. Um, it seemed like *** very pivotal moment for the team. What did you specifically learn about the team after that game, team? After which game? Um, you know, that game was ***, *** difficult game for us. You know, we'd already kind of clinched the SEC and I think everybody was looking *** little bit ahead of what might be in store for playing in the SEC championship game. And I don't think we respected, uh, the Auburn team like we should and I don't think we played one of our best games and I think we're very fortunate, um, at the end of the game to be able to execute and come out with *** win. Um, so hopefully the players learn that, um, it doesn't matter who you play. Um, they're gonna give you one of their, when they play us, we're going to get their best game and we need to be prepared to play our best game every time we go out on the field with so much outside hype, uh, with the college football playoff games. What, what of your experiences in this game taught you about how to handle the 24 hours leading up to kickoff. We'll start with Coach Harbaugh. Yeah. Today we're, um, the hay is never in the barn for us. We ne we never think of it that way. So, uh, things to, things to clean up polish in the diamond as, as we like to say, uh, you know, make the most of this day. Uh You know, tonight we'll get, get together, watch ***, you know, watch *** movie and, you know, talk, talk to the team different, different things like that kind of get the red blood pumping *** little bit so you can visualize it uh and go to sleep and, and, you know, see how good of *** night's sleep you can get, you know, um sometimes uh it's kind of, sometimes you do, sometimes you don't um probably really stressed *** good night's sleep last night. Uh Kind of feel like that's *** sleep you sleep on or play on. So uh got *** darn good one last night. So, uh anything tonight, it will just be *** bonus, uh you know, wake up tomorrow and uh everybody has their own approach to game day. Uh CG JJ has, has one other guys have ***, have ***, have *** different approach but uh you know, mainly just gonna have to get to the, go through our routine and then uh get to the stadium and then you got to, you know, it's like new, you're in *** new setting and it takes five or 10 minutes to adjust. But, you know, at some point you gotta, you gotta lock in and you got to get the rhythm, uh, you know, rhythm, get the rhythm, get the freaking rhythm. Um And then, and then the toe meets leather and I mean, it's on and, and, and then you just, I never worry about our guys once the, once the game starts because I know that they're, they're gonna react and, and do what they do and do it really well. And um and yeah, that can't wait for that moment. Can't wait to uh you know, watch our guys compete in this game. I think that uh one of the things I try to emphasize with our players is not only leading up to the game, but, you know, the whole bowl experience and the opportunities they have to do other things is how important it is to stay committed to, you know, the task at hand. Uh Not that you can't enjoy yourself uh when you do other things, uh other activities. But, you know, we really need to stay focused on what we came here for, especially each day in meetings, each day in practice. Um And then I think trying to create the right mindset in the last 48 hours leading up to the game uh to really focus on execution um, because, you know, we have *** plan, uh, everybody's got ***, an accountability and *** responsibility to do *** job. So, uh, being able to focus on that, whether it's in one reel when we watch *** film or when we're in *** meeting, um, and what they think about when they're on their own leading up to the game, uh, based on their ability to focus on what they need to do to execute and have, you know, good emotional discipline and how they approach doing their job. I think that's one of the most important things. I mean, if we have to motivate guys to play in this game, it's probably not *** good thing. Uh They should be pretty motivated. I think channeling the energy in the right direction is uh really, really important in games like this. Nick yesterday. You said, uh the game has changed more in the last 3 to 5 years than in the last 50. I just wonder from both of you guys where you see the game headed in the future, Jim, you've been, you've talked about sharing revenue with players, but big picture. Where's this game headed? *** big picture right? Day before the game? Um State of the union is not, uh can we address some of those things after the game would be, would be my preference? I'm just really, yeah, my, my, I would say it this way in agreement with Jim is, um you know, the day before the game. I think it's *** great question. Uh, I, I also think that, um, it would be *** really, really good discussion, you know, to have at some point in time. I don't think sitting up here today is the right time to do it ro it is for, uh, coach Saban, we spoke with both coordinators earlier in the week and both Kevin and Tommy Reared the fact that this team is as coachable as any of the teams they've ever worked with. Um, is that from *** leadership standpoint or how much more enjoyable is it to work with the team that, that grasps coaching and then takes the information and runs with it? Yeah, I think it's the way this team sort of transformed itself, you know, had *** lot to do with that. We didn't start out very well early in the season. And, um I think the, the players got to the point where hey, we want to dedicate ourselves to proving that, uh we can be *** good team and the leadership on the team was good. The chemistry on the team is good. Um Everybody kind of buys into the principles and values of what you need to do to be successful. And I think that's helped us, you know, improve throughout the year. And uh it's something that we need to continue to do um as *** team because there's still room for growth. This question for both coaches, uh, coach Saban, if you might start and then Harbaugh follow up after just talking about your opponent's defense, what you've done to prepare to go up against such tough defenses and what just sticks out about the defensive units for your opponent throughout the season. So you're talking about Michigan's defense. Um, I think they're *** very talented defensive team. They've got really good guys up front. Their linebackers are very athletic. Um, they, the secondary is very disciplined in terms of how they play and how they execute what they do. Um, you know, they've got some, you know, pretty interesting ways that they pressure the quarterback, whether it's single back or plugs or, you know, the kind of the way they present, um, trying to pressure the quarterback, which I think can be challenging to the offensive line and I think they play really, really well together as *** group in terms of how they execute. Uh, they have lots of experience and they don't make *** lot of mental errors and they don't give you *** lot. Um, you gotta take what they give and, um, I think that's really important in the decision making for, you know, the guys when you try to attack *** defense like this, our next question is to come from all the way in the back, uh, on the riser, I can remember me talking about Albana's defense. Yeah. Um, really good, um, defending the run up the middle uh and on the perimeter, the back, the backers can run, the edges are, are outstanding. There's always an edge to the defense, uh, the, uh, in the passing game. It's, it's the combination of, of the really good coverage and the pressure on the quarterback, um, out of, uh, pass, more of ***, *** three down scheme appears to be more of *** four down scheme right now and *** 42252 potential first round picks, uh, at corner, I would see, uh, all American safety, really good safety play. Uh, you know, very, very well coached, very good. Uh, not so much of the split split safety coverages, uh, uh, as we, as we look to face them right now, but, uh, that combination of pressure and, uh, and really good coverage and there's, there's no real, no real weak points to attack in the defense. So we're going to have to play really good on offense to be able to move the ball. You'll be one of only 12 men to play and coach in the Rose Bowl is being back here something that evokes any memories or feelings for you. Yeah, so many, I mean, it would, it would take *** long time to talk about it. But, uh, you know, like coach talked about, uh, I grew up in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, that, uh, that Midwest area. You grew up watching the Rose Bolt New Year's Day. I mean, there's *** couple of feet of snow outside and, and, uh, I mean, you're like laying on the, on your stomach in front of the TV, your hands like that, uh, looking at palm trees and the parade and, and, uh, the football game and, um, halftime you're out, we're trying to, we're outside playing football in the snow. Um, and then watching those, uh, kind of turns from the day to the night when you watch the Rose Bowl. Like, I know that's why *** lot of people in the Midwest probably move to, to California. It's, uh, it was, it was ***, you want to be there and, uh, and got to be there as *** player, um, and got to actually be there as *** kid, uh, because my dad was coaching at Michigan and we went to team, went to three straight Rose Bowls. Um, and now here as *** coach, it's pretty, pretty awesome. I got to, I got to participate as ***, as an 1112 and 13 year old and, uh, twice as *** player. And, and now as *** coach, are you concerned with the sign ceiling stuff out of Michigan? And what is Alabama done to maybe prevent some of that? Uh, no, we're really not concerned about that, you know, um, integrity in the game, I think is really, really important and, you know, our team has had every opportunity to prepare for this game just like they have every other game. And, um, you know, I think that especially when you're, you know, *** no huddle team, you got to adapt and adjust how you communicate with the quarterback. And hopefully one day we'll get to the NFL system where you can just talk to the guy in his helmet. I think that would be *** lot better, but for now we just have to adapt to, um, how we communicate with the quarterback and we'll change it up and try to not put our, our players at *** disadvantage in any way.
WATCH: Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh give insight into teams ahead of the 2024 Rose Bowl
Updated: 8:50 AM CST Jan 1, 2024
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Rose Bowl's top brass, gave insight ahead of the Monday matchup in the 2024 Tournament of Roses.Bouncing back from an early season loss to Texas, the now No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide, champions of the SEC, will take on the No. 1 ranked team in the country for the second game in a row when they meet Big 10 champion Michigan in Pasadena.>> 'All of us were just shocked': Michigan QB JJ McCarthy on 'Bama bumping Florida State from the CFPThis will be the sixth meeting between Alabama and Michigan. Watch the coaches' full conference in the video player above."I feel the team's in a good place," Harbaugh said. He noted that the team is locked in and ready to go. With one more day to clean up a few things, he said they would be ready to take on Alabama.While it takes a few minutes to adjust to a new setting, Harbaugh stressed that you have to "get the rhythm."Saban stressed emotional discipline and focus during the Rose Bowl experience."Integrity in the game, I think, is really important," Saban said.>> ALL THE ROLL TIDE COVERAGE: Everything you need to know ahead of the Rose Bowl Harbaugh also spoke about his love for the Rose Bowl and growing up watching it as a kid. He was also able to go with his father while Jack Harbaugh was a Michigan coach.The historyThe Tide first took on the Wolverines in 1988, with the two teams facing off most recently in the 2019 Citrus Bowl. In the five games against Michigan and Alabama, the Crimson Tide hold the lead 3-2 in the series.The winner of "The Granddaddy of Them All" will receive the illustrious Leishman Trophy, named after the 1920 Tournament of Roses President William L. Leishman, who was responsible for the stadium's construction.The winners will also go on to face either the Texas Longhorns or the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. Stay updated on the latest sports updates with the 米兰体育 13 app. You can download it here.
PASADENA, Calif. — Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Rose Bowl's top brass, gave insight ahead of the Monday matchup in the 2024 Tournament of Roses.
Bouncing back from an early season loss to Texas, the now No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide, champions of the SEC, will take on the No. 1 ranked team in the country for the second game in a row when they meet Big 10 champion Michigan in Pasadena.
>> 'All of us were just shocked': Michigan QB JJ McCarthy on 'Bama bumping Florida State from the CFP
This will be the sixth meeting between Alabama and Michigan.
Watch the coaches' full conference in the video player above.
"I feel the team's in a good place," Harbaugh said.
He noted that the team is locked in and ready to go. With one more day to clean up a few things, he said they would be ready to take on Alabama.
While it takes a few minutes to adjust to a new setting, Harbaugh stressed that you have to "get the rhythm."
Saban stressed emotional discipline and focus during the Rose Bowl experience.
"Integrity in the game, I think, is really important," Saban said.
>> ALL THE ROLL TIDE COVERAGE: Everything you need to know ahead of the Rose Bowl
Harbaugh also spoke about his love for the Rose Bowl and growing up watching it as a kid. He was also able to go with his father while Jack Harbaugh was a Michigan coach.
The history
The Tide first took on the Wolverines in 1988, with the two teams facing off most recently in the 2019 Citrus Bowl. In the five games against Michigan and Alabama, the Crimson Tide hold the lead 3-2 in the series.
The winner of "The Granddaddy of Them All" will receive the illustrious Leishman Trophy, named after the 1920 Tournament of Roses President William L. Leishman, who was responsible for the stadium's construction.
The winners will also go on to face either the Texas Longhorns or the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Stay updated on the latest sports updates with the 米兰体育 13 app. You can download it here.