Watch Nick Saban hilariously admit he can’t turn off ringing cell phone

In the midst of Nick Saban’s latest take on paying players, the Alabama coach brought some unintentional levity to what has become a hot topic as of late.

Saban was discussing the idea of paying college athletes when his cell phone rang. After a brief pause, he reached into his pocket, took a look and tried to finish his thought before it rang again.

He then admitted, “I don’t even know how to turn this thing off,” to the laughter of the gathered media in Destin for SEC spring meetings. It’s no secret Saban is deficient when it comes to technology.

In 2022, the Alabama coach shared during his weekly television show his team rules when it comes to cell phones.

“Players are not allowed to have their phones in meetings. They don’t even bring them. They’re not even allowed to bring them to the meetings,” Saban explained on his radio show. “As for people who violate his rules, the punishments are swift and harsh.

“If a player brings his phone into a meeting, he loses his phone for a day. The next time he does, he loses it for a week. So, we don’t have anybody bringing their phone to the meeting.”

No word on what his rule is on press conferences.

In August of 2022, Saban admitted that he started actually sending text messages.

“I’m getting there,” Saban said then. “Technology-wise, I’ve made huge advances.”

Don’t get too excited, though. A savant does not a couple of texts make. Don’t look for Saban to be popping up with any social media accounts either.

Nine years ago, in his eighth year as the head coach in Tuscaloosa, Saban admitted he read the texts he would get. He just didn’t respond. For perspective, at the time, Saban had more national title (four) than sent texts (zero).

“I do get text messages, and I do read them,” Saban told the Wall Street Journal at the time. “I just don’t know how to send them back.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Music App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.