Saban on Andre Smith-Wednesday PM

Alabama coach Nick Saban says Alabama fans shouldn't worry about the Andre Smith suspension being an NCAA issue.
Saban says it's an institutional issue and not an NCAA issue.


Saban made his comments a few moments ago in a post-practice news conference at the Super Dome.

GS

Text of Saban's comments here.

"We have really enjoyed our time here so far, the hospitality from the Sugar Bowl and the city of New Orleans has been outstanding. Our players have had a good time and have had the opportunity to do some positive things, but I am also very pleased with the way that our players have kept it a priority to practice well and do the things that they need to do in meetings. We have gone out and done a pretty good job each and every day in preparing for what should be a pretty challenging opponent in Utah. Our players had the chance to go see the Saints play on Sunday, some had the chance to see that Hornets game Tuesday night, and about 50 players went to Children's Hospital yesterday. Obviously the hospital visit is a unique experience for all of us – you really appreciate what you have when you see what others have to suffer through. I hope it was a helpful and rewarding experience for those young people that our players got to meet. I know there is an issue that you want to discuss and I will make a statement about it. Andre Smith is a fine young man and he did a great job here for us. He may be doing a great job for someone else in the future or he may be doing a great job for us in the future. That decision has not yet been made. He has represented himself, his family, and this university in a fine fashion and we are pleased with what he has done to help make this team successful. His legacy as a player here should be the fact that he made All-American here and that is a reflection of the hard work that he has put in during his three years here. It is very disappointing and unfortunate that judgment was used in a circumstance that has created consequences in him not being able to participate in this game. It is unfortunate, but hopefully it is something we can learn from and other players on this team can learn from as well. If you do what is right, things usually turn out the right way. If you don't do things right, things won't go your way. Sometimes your actions create consequences and that can go in the right or wrong way. This is an institutional matter that is not an NCAA matter. That has been verified by the NCAA. Anyone that is out there worried about the NCAA doesn't need to think about that. The way that we will handle this is the way we have handled it before when Andre Smith didn't play. Mike Johnson will move to left tackle and David Ross will play left guard. That is all I have to say about that, so that is all I am going to say about it."