Saban: 'It will not be a public deal'

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban said he has looked into the arrest of senior cornerback Simeon Castille over the weekend, but otherwise re-iterated his policy of handling team-related discipline issues internally during a press conference Tuesday.

“Poor judgment is not something that we are going to tolerate in this organization,” Saban said in his Tuesday afternoon press conference.

Saban reorganized his weekly schedule to address reporters following Tuesday’s practice.

Castille was arrested by Tuscaloosa police early Sunday morning for disorderly conduct along the Strip after police thought he was trying to pick a fight with passengers in a passing SUV. He told officers that they were his teammates and he was “just kidding with them.”

Castille posted bond shortly after being taken to the Tuscaloosa County Jail. He did participate in Tuesday’s practice.

Three of Castille’s teammates – Roy Upchurch, Brandon Fanney and Brandon Deaderick – were arrested in the same off-campus area on July 14.

Upchurch and Fanney were charged with disorderly conduct. Deaderick was arrested for criminal mischief, resisting arrest and giving a false name.

All three remain on the team, and team-imposed punishments were never announced.

“We will handle all discipline internally with our team,” Saban said at Media Days shortly after the incident. “It will not be a public deal. All right? These players have been given things they need to do, and they are doing them. If they do them properly, learn from their mistakes, improve as people, then they won’t face any suspensions or anything that will affect their ability to perform on the field.

“However, if they don’t do those things, then the consequences could affect their ability to represent the University of Alabama on the football field.”

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com at 205-722-0196.