Nick Saban appeared to throw shade at fellow Alabama coach Nate Oats for failing to suspend members of the school’s basketball team for their alleged involvement in a murder.
Saban, the Crimson Tide’s football coach, suspended freshman Tony Mitchell from the team after he was seen running from Florida police at 141 mph before being arrested with $7,000, 226 grams of marijuana and a loaded gun in your vehicle.
After announcing the suspension Monday, the head coach issued a strong statement that appeared to criticize Alabama basketball coach Oats for playing Brandon Miller during March Madness after the star was alleged to be at the scene of a fatal shooting on January 15.
Everyone has the opportunity to choose and make decisions. There is no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Saban said.
“You have to be responsible about who you’re with, who you’re with, what you do, and who you associate with, along with the situations you put yourself in.”
Nick Saban (left) appeared to throw shade at fellow Alabama coach Nate Oats (right)
Jamea Harris (left), a 23-year-old mother, was shot to death near the University of Alabama campus on January 15. Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles (right) and another man, Michael Lynn Davis, were arrested and charged with capital murder in her death. Miles has since been kicked off the team.
Brandon Miller allegedly brought the gun after Miles texted the SEC Player of the Year
The “wrong place at the wrong time” line in particular seemed to hint at the shadow of Alabama-on-Alabama, since it’s almost the exact phrase Oats used in his defense of keeping Miller on the team.
After Miller was accused of bringing the gun to a crime scene at the request of former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, Oats told a news conference that Miller’s involvement was simply a case of “wrong place at wrong time.” “.
Former Alabama player Darius Miles and another man have been charged with capital murder in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Harris on January 15.
A police officer testified that Miles texted SEC Player of the Year Miller asking him to bring Miles’ gun in the early hours of the morning of the shooting.
Fellow freshman starter Jaden Bradley was also on the scene. Neither Miller nor Bradley have been charged with any crime and the university has described Miller as a cooperating witness, not a suspect.
Miller stayed with the team and played for Alabama when it came to Sweet 16 of March Madness, but the show brought in an armed security guard for the outraged star over threats made amid his link to the murder.
Meanwhile, police say Mitchell admitted to “running from the police” last week after his passenger, Christopher Lewis, told him to “hit,” apparently a directive to speed away from officers.
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mitchell and Lewis for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or deliver, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. Additionally, Lewis was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
Tony Mitchell (pictured) was arrested and charged last week with possession of marijuana.
Holmes County police officers released a photo of the evidence they say they recovered from the car.
Saban immediately suspended Mitchell from the team “and from all team activities until we gather more information about the situation and what his legal circumstance is.”
However, there is arguably a difference between the value of the two players to their respective teams.
Mitchell is a freshman defensive back who has yet to be on the field for the Crimson Tide and was arrested during the football offseason, while Miller is arguably the best basketball player in the country playing during March Madness. .
However, Mitchell is said to be a promising freshman at one of the top soccer programs in the country.
Mitchell is a four-star recruit with the potential to play at the NFL level, according to scouts.
His 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame is good for a cornerback or safety, and Rivals.com ranked him 10th at position in his class.
Mitchell was reportedly recruited by the state of Arizona, Auburn, Clemson and Florida, in addition to Alabama.