Nick Saban and the 7 'Don'ts' After Defeat

The players were visibly upset after losing in the National Championship and were now free to go back to the locker room.

But Alabama Coach Nick Saban asked them to stay at the podium for an extra moment.

“These two guys who are sitting up here, they’re not defined by one game,” Saban told reporters. “They played great for us all year. They’re great competitors. They were great leaders on this team. And they contributed tremendously to the success of this team, and we would not be here without them.”

Saban wanted to personally thank Bryce Young and Will Anderson and remind them that as devastated as they felt, the loss to Georgia on Monday night did not define their season, their careers or their future.

As the leader, Saban needed to take some of the disappointment off of both young men’s shoulders and bring the focus back to the process, not the result. He commended both for their leadership skills and their dedication, and by doing so, sent a message to next year’s team about what is required to get to the mountaintop.

We have all had disappointing moments in our careers — they’re an inevitable part of the process. But how we react to these in the present is what can allow us to overcome them in the future. Bill Walsh, the Hall-of-Fame San Francisco 49ers coach, had seven “Don’ts” after a tough loss.

1. Don’t whine — which Saban clearly didn’t in his press conference.

2. Don’t ask “Why me?” By praising the players for their work, Saban eliminated the pity party and turned the focus on the many positives of the season.

3. Don’t expect sympathy. Saban’s mentality and tone removed the sympathy element from the conversation.

4. Don’t keep accepting condolences. The season isn’t one game — it was a collection of games that produced amazing results. No condolences needed.

5. Don’t blame injuries or the officials. If you claim one game doesn’t define your season but blame the external, your rhetoric tells another story. Saban avoided this.

6. Don’t ignore the media. Stand before them and accept the loss. Saban simultaneously tactfully moved the narrative toward next season.

7. Don’t blame the team. Don’t allow the assistant coaches or anyone to blame the preparation or lack of practice on the loss. Once again, don’t focus on the game, focus on the big-picture season.

We will all lose in painful fashion at one point or another. But if we let the outcome define us or paralyze us for too long, we will never make the necessary progress to avoid a similar fate in the future.

By keeping these two young players on the stage for an extra 50 seconds, Saban showed gratitude and perspective — while also conveying that preparations for next year are already underway.

We unlock our greatness by working on the hard things. How to Begin is the practical guide that shows you how.

How to Begin is the blueprint for anyone who’s felt stuck or stymied … and wants to be more ambitious for themselves and for the world in 2022.