‘Don’t Gaslight Us’ — Former USC LB Not Buying Whatever Nick Saban’s Selling About Motive Behind Stepping Away From College Football
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
When legendary coach Nick Saban stepped down from his coaching duties at Alabama in January 2024, fans and experts alike theorized that it was largely due to the changing college football landscape fueled by the transfer portal and NIL. However, the former coach has rejected that narrative, claiming it was more about his age than anything else.
While speaking to Mike Greenberg on ESPN’s “Get Up,” the veteran coach said he was done coaching once and for all and that other priorities needed his attention. However, a former USC player has rejected this justification, claiming Saban’s arguments do not reflect reality.
Former CFB Player Has a Counterargument to Nick Saban’s Retirement Remarks
After stepping down from coaching, Saban has become a household name in the broadcasting industry. His appearance on “College GameDay” every Saturday and the preparation required before each show still take up a significant portion of his week.
“As he joins GameDay that requires you to travel Wed – Saturday, prep, and still be away from ya family [laughing emojis] Look, I know it’s nothing like a coaching schedule, but plz don’t gaslight us. You’ve been very vocal about NIL ever since stepping away too lol,” former linebacker Su’a Cravens wrote on X while reacting to Saban’s remarks from Tuesday.
The former Alabama coach is currently on a media campaign to promote and advocate for the Protect College Sports Act, which passed the U.S. Senate on September 28. The bill still needs to pass the U.S. House of Representatives and be signed by the president before it can become law.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
Greenberg asked Saban if he would consider returning to college football coaching should a suitable opportunity arise.
“Well, that’s not why I got out of coaching,” Saban said. “We had three years of this, my last three years, I coached in the NFL, so I was used to managing the salary cap and that type of thing, but I think that it was just time for me, 72 years old, and I think it was time to have some quality of life with family with Miss Terry, enjoy some things we’ve never been able to do. We’ve been totally committed to, you know, coaching is not a job; it’s a way of life.”
Regardless of whether he returns to coaching, Saban will forever remain one of the most prominent figures in college football for his contributions to the sport.
His illustrious resume includes seven national championships and a career record of 297 wins, 71 losses, and one tie. Saban continues to remain a key part of “College GameDay” after making his regular-season debut as a full-time analyst on August 24, 2024.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos