Nick Saban, Paul Finebaum have heated exchange

Things got heated on the SEC Network stage Wednesday morning in Hoover.

Nick Saban and Paul Finebaum sparred over the decision to not suspend Cam Robinson or Hootie Jones following their May 17 arrest. The exchange continued into the commercial break in a ballroom full of reporters covering SEC Media Days.

Within earshot of media, Saban launched into a four-letter tirade directed at Finebaum. In it, he used his fingers to note the small amount of marijuana found in the car and insinuated the arresting officers were disgruntled LSU fans.

It ended with a few laughs from everyone on set as Saban exited. See video of the moment above.

On air, Saban started by saying he didn't care about critics offering views.

"If they really did something wrong, they would have been charged with something," Saban said.

Finebaum called that "debatable."

"Do we condone the behavior? No," Saban said to Finebaum. "But you're innocent until you're proven guilty in this country regardless if you get convicted in the media or not, which is what you're doing."

Finebaum responded by asking why he was not suspending either player.

"Because I'm not going to convict him in public," Saban said. "I was going to get criticized by you and the public and the media because I'm not going to suspend him and I don't really care about that. That's the end of the conversation."

[simoncarlile]

Bruh, if this is considered a heated exchange, then some of my arguments with my ex were somewhere in the "Hagedorn temperature" range.

[lakeedwarddaily]

Heated exchange? More like "room temperature" exchange.

[EverythingThereIs]

The real news here is someone filming horizontally.

[EmceeLorder]

It was so heated....that you could chill a beer in that room.

[hollyvelocitygrl]

Can't we just have a bad lip reading version of this pointless upload?

[iggyeo]

oh my! my ears! the vulgarity, the anger, the rage! my heart is racing, this was nuts!!! 1

[blakejr.]

In more exciting news...I had a cup of pudding today

[nitroneonicman]

I thought it was Magneto and Professor X

[ThatFalloutGod]

So people are getting pissy because Saban is using basic logic, basic human rights, and common fucking courtesy towards his players? Aren't these the same fucking people who couldn't give 2 shits about ALL the shit programs like Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, etc. have done CONSISTENTLY for over a decade now? But what's new? People hate Bama because they're by far the best football program to ever exist and since they can't beat them legitimately, they're constantly either trying to run their name through the mud or cheat ( mainly Auburn and LSU ).

[hoova]

I think Nick Saban is mad because he's short.

[uJonesing]

OH MY GOD THIS WAS RIVETTING! I haven't seen drama and action like this since the last time I watched water get wet!

[nitroneonicman]

Saban is losing it. Yes, the Police in Monroe were there at 2 AM in a closed park just waiting for the opportunity to arrest the two idiots who were simply minding their business and sitting in a car with drugs and weapons. Saban logic.

[juggernaut]

That one dudes job is to move their chairs.

[Ozsii]

Why is this video trending? could barely hear them? :(

[CHOPSBOWLS]

I won't go as far as calling it a "heated debate" more like lunch arrangements

[thatcannonguy]

Ooo...ahh...

Can't hear a heated exchange. Don't see a heated exchange. Christ, there are even people using the same title and thumbnail with a video that has nothing to do with this.

[JudahRichardson]

Anyone else thought the dude moving Finebaum's chair was about to throw him off stage lol?

FWIW I agree with Saban. We need to stop trying people in the court of public opinion and trust the justice system. No charges or Title IX issues = no suspensions.

GO GATORS

[RollOnToVictory]

I can't hear anything.... probably Nick and Paul just exchanging fishing stories.

[hsojspillihp]

In all seriousness... how does finebaum even have a job? I have never known anyone to be wrong about so many games and championships ever.

[VonBluesman]

I have seen people ordering a Big Mac get more upset than this.