Saban Can’t Coach From Home on Saturday
Alabama football coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 this week, putting his status for the upcoming game with No. 3 Georgia in doubt this Saturday. Saban told the media he would be able to handle his coaching responsibilities through the week from home but admitted he and his staff were still exploring its options for the game.
"I'm not sure exactly how this is going to play out in terms of when the game comes, whether I can have communication with people or not," said Saban.
Per NCAA rules, no outside technology is allowed to be used to communicate with players or coaches from 90 minutes prior to the game until the game is over. Saban will not be allowed to have communication into the press box, sidelines or locker room if he is not present in the stadium.
Saban will have to come up with an alternative way to communicate with his team on gameday that meets NCAA rules or leave the coaching up to Steve Sarkisian and the rest of his staff.
Perhaps the Crimson Tide could arrange a special coaching box for the quarantined coach, much like Liberty University did for Hugh Freeze when dealing with staph infection.
As of Wednesday the Crimson Tide was only dealing with two positive tests, Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne. It remains to be seen if more members of the staff or players in the program have tested positive. Saban will retest today in order to verify his positive result from yesterday.
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