Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin said Wednesday that former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban had a bone to pick with him over comments made about the legendary coach’s candidacy for a College Football Commissioner role that currently doesn’t exist, but there is increasing clamor for.
James Franklin Recommendation Not Endorsed by Nick Saban?
During his media availability ahead of the Orange Bowl clash with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Franklin suggested that Saban should become the College Football Commissioner.
It seems the former Alabama head coach might prefer his current role alongside Pat McAfee on College GameDay.
“I was on a call the other day with Nick Saban, and he wasn’t real happy about me promoting him for the commissioner of college football, but I think we need that,” Franklin said.
“I think we need somebody that is looking at it from a big-picture perspective. And whether that is Nick Saban or whether that is Chris Petersen or whether that is Dave Clawson — who I think is a really, really smart football guy — I think having somebody in that position would be valuable for our sport and for our student-athletes.”
College football is entering new territory with NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment. The game is getting out of hand and needs a Commissioner to govern it. Saban would be a perfect hard-nosed candidate to run college football, but at his advanced age, he probably would not want to do it.
Saban also retired from college football due to the NIL and schools allegedly buying players with personal services contracts which are mired under NIL auspices. Many players are making more money playing college football than their coaches are making. Many are also making more money in college during their senior season than they would make their first year in the National Football League.
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