‘Nick Saban Is a Politician,’ ‘Grow Up You Are 74’ — Ex-LSU DT Mocks Legendary HC’s Comments on ESPN’s College GameDay

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The LSU coaching change has brought an old connection back into the spotlight as Lane Kiffin prepares for another chapter in Baton Rouge. Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss has already produced conflicting accounts about the advice he received before accepting the job.

Now, comments from his former Alabama boss on ESPN’s College GameDay have drawn a sharp response from a former LSU player.

Breiden Fehoko Mocks Nick Saban Over Lane Kiffin LSU Advice

Former LSU defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko responded after Nick Saban addressed reports about his role in Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU. Kiffin had previously said Saban’s advice played an important role in pushing him toward the Tigers, creating a clear difference between the two accounts.

In January, Kiffin said that during his decision process, he called Saban, who told him, “You’ll always regret if you don’t go to LSU. It’s the best job in America.” Kiffin credited that message with helping him move beyond his comfort zone and accept the position.

Saban offered a different emphasis during ESPN’s College GameDay appearance in Oxford. He said he does not tell coaches where to work and instead presents questions that allow them to reach their own conclusions.

Saban said, “Where do you think you can win? Where do you think you fit. And I also say, ‘Why can’t you win at where you are now? You have a great quarterback. You have a great running back. You’re in the playoffs. You have a chance to win the national championship. So why do you have to go someplace else?’ So, but everybody makes their own decision. I don’t tell anybody where to go.”

During the same appearance, Saban also said, “Just so everybody knows here, I am used to getting booed in the SEC!”

He additionally addressed another college football controversy with the comment, “Stealing signals is not illegal.”

His explanation did not sit well with Fehoko, who questioned Saban’s version of events and his broader influence within college football. The former LSU national champion defensive tackle shared his criticism on X, accusing Saban of working behind the scenes.

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“Nick Saban is a politician. That man will get up there and straight lie that he isn’t pulling strings behind the scenes for his coaching tree and Jimmy Sexton. Grow up you are 74,” Fehoko wrote.

The disagreement also comes with years of history between Saban and Kiffin. Kiffin worked as Alabama’s offensive coordinator from 2014 through 2016 before Saban removed him ahead of the 2017 national championship game after Kiffin accepted the Florida Atlantic job.

Their relationship has remained a subject of discussion, particularly as Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU created another major coaching headline. The latest disagreement now centers on how much influence Saban had before Kiffin made that decision.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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