Saban Jealous…Of what?

Photo Credit: TribeLive.com

At a public speaking event, May 18, in Birmingham AL, seven time national champion University of Alabama head coach, Nick Saban, had some choice words regarding Jimbo Fisher, Deion Sanders, and the newest NCAA name, image, and likeness rules. Saban claimed that Texas A&M University, where Jimbo Fisher coaches, paid off their players to come to their school after Texas A&M ranked number one in recruiting this year while Alabama ranked number two. He also made a statement that Deion Sanders paid Trevor Hunter, who was the number one player in the nation coming out of high school this year, $1 million to play at Jackson State University.

Fisher stated in a press conference that A&M did not break any NIL rules and that they didn’t buy a single player on their team.

“It’s despicable that a reputable head coach can say things like that when things don’t go his way,” Fisher said.

He added that Saban showed his true colors; and that anyone who has worked for him in the past knows what kind of person he truly is.

As for Deion Sanders, ‘Coach Prime’, as he is commonly known, he stated that, “we don’t need to pay our people to play with our people.” He also said that he doesn’t even make a million dollars when referring to Jackson State paying their recruit that same amount.

Saban recently tried to call both of them to apologize, however, both coaches declined the call. Sanders in an article by Andscape, previously known as The Undefeated, said that Saban’s comment was public, so they need to handle this conversation in public.

Photo Credit: Washington Post

Saban’s statements do not make him look good. While he may believe the NIL rules may be doing more harm than good to college athletes, but he had no reason to attack those coaches.

Saban stated in the conference that he doesn't have a problem with players making money off of their name and likeness. He believes that college coaches are using the NIL rules to recruit their players by promising them money through collectives. This is when money comes into the program through outside sponsorship that agents give to the players.

There is zero evidence that Saban’s claims are true of A&M and Jackson State. Two things may concluded from this exchange. One, Saban and Coach Prime will probably appear in anymore Aflac commercials together. Second, every college football fan will be tuning in, Oct. 8, to what unfolds when Alabama faces off against Texas A&M.