Nick Saban won't suspend Alabama DE Da’Shawn Hand for DUI charge

Alabama coach Nick Saban won't suspend defensive end Da’Shawn Hand after he was charged with DUI last weekend.

Hand was found by Tuscaloosa, Ala., police asleep in the driver's seat of his car with his keys in the ignition. Even though the vehicle was stationary in a parking lot, the headlights were on and the car was cranked, which is what led to the DUI charge.

Saban said he didn't condone Hand's decision to get drunk, but said because he wasn't driving his vehicle, he didn't deserve as strict of a punishment.

"Da'Shawn put himself in a bad situation," Saban said, via 247Sports. "Obviously he made a mistake being where he was at the time. But the fact (is) that he didn't drive the car, which is what we tell the players not to do. It's not OK that he was drinking ... and that's a behavioral issue that needs to be addressed and we will address it."

“But the fact that he didn’t drive the car and wasn’t driving the car, he did not put other people at risk, which to me is the most significant thing when you drive under the influence."

According to Saban, Hand will be punished internally, which will include community service. If Hand does everything the team asks of him, he won't be suspended.

"... I have two choices," Saban said. "I can punish the guy for putting himself in a bad situation, but making a pretty good decision after he put himself in that situation. Or we can take the situation that he put himself in, which is drinking, and have him assessed for that and try to help him so he can make better choices and decisions in the future."

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Alabama DL Da'Shawn Hand reportedly arrested for DUI

Alabama is scheduled to open the season against Florida State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Sept. 2.

A pre-trial hearing for Hand will be held less than three weeks later Sept. 18.