Saban Explains Hurts Benching Decision in Alabama Title Game

New footage from ESPN's "Saban" documentary shows Nick Saban explaining his decision to replace Jalen Hurts with Tua Tagovailoa for Alabama against Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on January 8, 2018.

According to the documentary coverage from Bleacher Report and Sports Yahoo, Alabama trailed Georgia 13-0 at halftime after Hurts completed limited passing production, and Tagovailoa helped the Crimson Tide win 26-23 in overtime.

Saban said he had considered the quarterback change before the championship game and viewed it as a planned move rather than an emotional reaction.

"It was the time" said Nick Saban, former Alabama head coach.

In the documentary, Saban described Hurts as a competitor while explaining the reasoning behind the change. Hurts had started every game before the title matchup and was one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterbacks.

"He's a competitor. He wants to play. He wants to do well.

No different than anybody else that ever played the sport. Nobody wants to be insignificant, but I didn't make that decision in two minutes. I made it in two minutes, but I thought about it for two months.

You don't just make emotional decisions like, 'I'm really frustrated we're not moving the ball right now, so I'm gonna change quarterbacks.' No, it was calculated." said Nick Saban, former Alabama head coach.

Saban also explained that offensive coordinator Brian Daboll asked who would inform Hurts about the decision before the second half began.

"Does that mean you want me to tell him?" said Nick Saban, former Alabama head coach.

Footage from the locker room showed Saban telling Tagovailoa he would begin the second half as Alabama attempted to change the game's direction.

"We'll choose as we go, but you're gonna start the second half, and then we're gonna play two guys." said Nick Saban, former Alabama head coach.

Hurts later addressed the benching in the documentary and acknowledged the decision did not completely surprise him. The quarterback eventually transferred to Oklahoma and continued his career, later becoming a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I can't say that I was surprised" said Jalen Hurts, former Alabama quarterback.

Hurts also sent a message to Saban ahead of the documentary premiere, thanking his former coach for the opportunity to be part of the story.

"Coach Saban, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your story. From your phone call in Philly to my father's office in 2015, I knew I was starting a journey that would be unprecedented by following your leadership. I'm honored to share a small moment with you and Miss Terry.

Congratulations on your premiere. Sending my love, Jalen Hurts." said Jalen Hurts, former Alabama quarterback.

Tagovailoa entered the game after halftime and finished 14-of-24 passing for 166 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He threw the overtime game-winning touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith after Georgia had taken a field goal lead.