Nick Saban and some of Alabama’s football players made headlines last week, but not because of anything that took place on the field -- or dry land, for that matter.

Saban and several members of the Crimson Tide’s leadership group, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, linebacker Terrell Lewis and corner Shyheim Carter, were stranded on Saban’s boat because it seemingly ran out of gas. But Saban told ESPN that wasn’t the case.

What actually happened was the fuel pump on his new boat was defective.

“Brand spanking new, and it’s the first time I’d been out in it,” Saban told ESPN’s Chris Low. “So when it stalled, I’m thinking, ‘Oh my gosh. I bought a new boat, and they didn’t put gas in it.’ I didn't even think about it. You just assume that it’s got gas in it when you get a new car or a new boat. My heart sunk for a minute because I had all those kids out there. I had two of them on tubes when it happened. We had fun, but I sure heard about it.

“... We didn’t run out of gas. But when the fuel pump runs out, that’s exactly what it feels like. I’ve got all these kids on the boat, and I say, ‘We must have run out of gas,’ and then look at the gas gauge and it’s full. So I call for a mechanic, who brings another boat, and he resets the thing or whatever. I told him, ‘You drive that boat. I’m driving your boat.’

“I’ve been getting busted about this for a week, but the kids sure had fun with it.”

Word surfaced of the incident by way of video from Lewis. The linebacker, corner and QB can be seen cracking up and sending out a message for help as Saban laughs and tries to flag down another boat. “Tell that other boat we ain’t got no gas,” Saban said off-screen. The Alabama coach doesn’t goof up too often, but he’s a good sport as his players tease him.

Lewis pleads with any followers that may be on the lake to find them and lend a hand. That’s when Carter chimes in and says that he needs saving. “I can’t really survive out here,” he says with a smile.

Despite not actually running out of gas, Saban has been teased by his players because of the breakdown. And he’s also heard from other college football players across the country. He said one of the funniest responses he received came from a Naval Academy student.

“He sent me a picture of a big-ass warship and said, ‘Hey Coach, we got you, man. We’ll always come pick you up,’” Saban told Low with a laugh.

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).