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Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said the Nil name, the image and the similarity of the NCAA student-athletes-have hurt SEC, the conference he coached II long time.
Saban, 73, coached for a few years in the Nil era before retiring at the end of the 2023 season. The legendary coach said that Nil helps schools North with regard to recruitment.
“I think the culture in college football right now, with name, image and equality (zero) and paying players money, in fact may have hurt SEC a little and helped the schools north,” Saban said during a recent performance at “The Pat McAfee Show” per. On3.com.
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Former Alabama coach Nick Saban sits on stage under Espn’s “College Gameday” in front of Oklahoma-Michigan football match in Norman, Okla., September 6. (IMagn)
“Because if you make your decision on money and someone will pay you more to go to Ohio State or Michigan or where it is – and I don’t complain about it, that’s how it is – then these kids will be more willing to move.”
Saban said Nil has changed the culture of college football as high school recruits will now play for the one who will pay them the most.
Former Minnesota, NFL recipient discusses Alma Mater’s challenges in the New Nil -Sera in the middle of Homecoming Weekend
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban smiles, as he appears on sets under ESPN’s “College Gameeday” in Tuscaloosa, Ala., October 4th. (IMagn)
“Children do not grow up and want to go to Alabama and want to go to Georgia and want to go to Florida and want to go to Texas. They will go anywhere to whom to pay them the most money,” Saban said.
“So I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with what I’m just saying that culture (of college -football) has changed, which I think has done the regional advantage that the Southeastern conference has had for years is no longer an advantage.”
Nick Saban on the set of ESPN’s “College Gameday” in Norman, Okla., September 6. (IMagn)
Saban’s assessment can be accurate as a SEC team has not played for a national title since the 2022 season. The last two national championships were won by the Big Ten team -Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in 2024.
Saban has previously said that Nil is not the reason why he retired, but has been firmly in his belief that changes must be made.
