Mobile Pensacola, AL, October 9, 2026 — A recently released ESPN documentary, titled “Saban,” has unveiled previously unaired footage detailing a pivotal coaching decision made by Alabama head coach Nick Saban. The footage specifically shows Saban benching then-starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in favor of Tua Tagovailoa during the 2018 College Football Playoff national championship game.

The game in question was the national championship contest against the University of Georgia. While the exact date of the footage’s recording is not specified, the event took place during the 2018 season’s championship game. The documentary’s release provides a new perspective on the quarterback switch that occurred during this high-stakes matchup.

The decision to replace Hurts with Tagovailoa was made during the championship game. The outcome of the game saw the Alabama Crimson Tide ultimately secure victory in overtime against the Georgia Bulldogs. The specific circumstances surrounding the benching, including the exact timing within the game and the immediate context of the on-field play, are not detailed in the available summary beyond the fact of the substitution.

This never-before-seen footage from the ESPN documentary offers a look into the coaching strategy employed by Nick Saban during a critical moment in one of college football’s most significant games. The documentary title, “Saban,” refers to the long-time head coach of the Alabama football program. Details regarding the production of the documentary or the source of this specific footage were not provided.


Story summarized from the original created by Mark Heim on www.al.com, see more information here.

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