Nick Saban initially said that senior defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand would not be suspended when he spoke to media this past weekend after Hand's DUI arrest. It seems that he is standing by that decision as he will not suspend the young man for the Florida State game that kicks off the season
Coach said Hand was required to go to a 48-hour treatment program and that he made the "best decision after putting himself in a bad situation." He is referring to Hand falling asleep at the wheel while the car was parked rather than actively driving the car while intoxicated.
Saban also said Hand must complete community service, police ride arounds and other things to complete his punishment. He did not say what the "other things" were that the former No. 1 overall recruit had to complete in order to get back into coach's good graces.
Since the incident, the coach has come under fire from several analysts including Paul Finebaum about how he handled the situation and was even called "soft" for not suspending Hand. It seems that he's set himself for more of that as he is sticking to his guns and won't suspend the upperclassmen who should know better than to drink and get behind the wheel of a car at all.
[h/t Saturday Down South]
