Gehrig Dieter Reflects on Championship Loss, Experience in Tuscaloosa
Less than one year ago, Bowling Green wide receiver Gehrig Dieter took advantage of the NCAA's graduate transfer rule and made the decision to play his final season at The University of Alabama.
The Indiana native wrapped up his career college career on Monday night, and he joined The Game to look back on his experience in Tuscaloosa.
"It was definitely better than what I thought," Dieter said. "The fans were great the entire season. When you go anywhere in Tuscaloosa, most of the time somebody recognizes you and always has good things to say.
"To be coached by Coach Saban and his staff was a great honor and I learned a lot. I got a lot better as a football player."
Dieter finished the season with 15 catches for 214 yards and four touchdowns as a starter for the Crimson Tide, but he team fell one second short of another national championship in a 35-31 loss to Clemson.
"To fall how we fell was pretty tough but, I mean, Clemson made plays when they needed to and we didn't. You can't really regret what we did. We had a great season other than that game."
And Saban wanted to let his seniors know that they accomplished some great things during their career at Alabama. The head coach met with them separately to tell them he was proud of their success.
"It was obviously more directed towards all the guys that have been there, just saying how great their careers were, nobody's ever done what they did, won as many games as they've won, and he's proud of them. He said he'd do whatever he needed to do to help us be successful in life, and he always has our backs."