"I don't give a s---': Nick Saban doubles down on Texas A&M using artificial crowd noise

Jeff Hauser

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"I don't give a s---': Nick Saban doubles down on Texas A&M using artificial crowd noise image

Nick Saban has always welcomed a hostile road environment during his coaching career, but the former Alabama coach suggested this week that one of college football’s loudest venues may have had some extra help.

Despite losing their regular-season finale to in-state rival Texas, the Texas A&M Aggies earned a spot in the College Football Playoff and will host a first-round game Saturday at Kyle Field. Ahead of that matchup with Miami, Saban floated a surprising claim about how the Aggies generate their booming atmosphere.

Saban, who won seven national championships and is now an ESPN analyst, said on The Pat McAfee Show that Texas A&M has leaned on artificial crowd noise in addition to its famously passionate fan base.

“I did more complaining to the SEC office — it was more than complaining that I don’t really want to say on this show — about this is the noisiest place,” Saban said. “Plus, they pipe in noise. You can’t hear yourself think when you’re playing out there.”

Saban still acknowledged Kyle Field as one of the loudest venues in the sport, even without any added assistance. But he also doubled-down on his claim Saturday on ESPN College GameDay. He was grilled by McAfee on set about the accusations. 

Saban turned to the crowd and didn't hold back. "I think [The 12th Man is] real but y'all still pipe in noise to make it difficult. I don't give a s--- what you say." 

The use of artificial crowd noise is not explicitly prohibited under NCAA rules, though guidelines require consistency for both teams and mandate that music or band noise stop when the snap is imminent. Game officials can intervene if those standards are not met.

Regardless of how the volume is generated, the challenge remains the same. The Miami Hurricanes are expected to face a raucous environment when the first-round CFP game kicks off Saturday at noon ET, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.

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Contributing Writer