Coach Nick Saban of the University of Alabama...
On SEC Media Days:
"It's great to see everybody. I certainly appreciate what you all do for college football - how you promote interest in college football and how you provide a lot of positive gratification for young athletes. The fact that we've moved this up a week has enhanced the quality of my summer... (chuckling) This season is going to be very challenging."
On A.J. McCarron:
"He took what the defense gave and played with a lot of discipline. He didn't force things and didn't turn the ball over a lot. He has continued to improve and show leadership for this team in 2012. The fact that we have an experienced offensive line and quarterback will enhance the quality of our entire offensive scheme."
On discipline at Penn State:
"Even though it is a very criminal thing, you should focus on the outcome. Rather than focusing on the punishment, focus on the outcome that might be [beneficial] to everyone. As a suggestion to something that might be focused on the outcome, {consider] taxing the University for tickets on athletics and donate the money to some organization committed to protecting children."
On Steve Spurrier and his 200th win:
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Steve Spurrier - best coach in the league over time. He's done a fantastic job. I would like to try to be like him. He's older than me (chuckling), so I look up to him. I thought of wearing a visor this year, but I was afraid I'd throw it."
On Alabama's focus this season:
"The most important thing in having consistency in performance, which defines success in everything you do, is paying attention to detail. Everybody in the organization must continue to do that. I never focus on what's happened in the past. I don't want to be known by what I did, I want to be known for what I'm doing. In any leadership position, it's human nature to relax when you experience success. Some people are addicted to success and have a willingness to continue to do the things required to be successful. That's what we try to do. We want to do what it takes to be successful in 2012, not be defined by what we did last year or in 2010."
On coming off a National Championship:
"You learn through experience. We've learned a lot in 5 years at Alabama. Maybe our 2010 team didn't respond as well as they should've to success. When you win, you become the target to everyone. It becomes more challenging than the year before. You're going to get everybody's best game. They've got your game circled. They've got timers in their locker room counting down how many days, hours and minutes til Alabama. The only way to respond to that is be willing to treat every 60 minute game as if it has a life of its own. That's not easy. We want to instill that as best as we can, so that we have the best opportunity to get our team to compete at a high level on a consistent basis."