According to ESPN Saban leaving because of NIL and Portal?

[RollTide82]

Seems obvious from the comments provided by Chris Low’s sources that Saban is disgusted with the current state of the game. While I agree, I hate to see it run him off. I think he stays another 2-3 seasons if things were the same. It’s a lawless world out there now.

 

[The Ols]

As Ryan Williams decommits and looks for a bigger bag…

 

[Cruloc]

No surprise there. I think NIL and portal is running off a lot of fans too. I know I don't care like I used to, I'm 47 next month.

Its one of the big reasons I've never liked college basketball, outside of filling out brackets in March. Why get invested in a team when most or all will be one and done.

I miss watching the kids come in and grow in the system. Now its just the kids having an agent, or an uncle, negotiating how much money the school will pay the kid to come to the school. I don't mind the kids making money for themselves, but this NIL thing has gone completely off the rails.

 

[AlistarWills]

Josh Pate said last night that he’s been told off the record by multiple coaches that they are ready to call it quits because of the state of the game. Said he’s heard horror stories of recruits shaking down the coach for money.

 

[spidermayin]

These 5 star recruits are supposed to be humbled once they sign with a college team because they were treated like celebrities in high school. Now, it's like they are going straight from high school to the NFL. I know we roll out the red carpet to try and lure recruits, but now we have to talk dollar signs as well and it all feels so wrong. Once someone gets to a college, there's no accountability and these players can play the "I'm not happy. I'm taking my ball and going home" multiple times until they find a team that caters to them.

 

[Tide&True]

If you are going to have a governing body (whether it’s the NCAA or somebody else) there has to be rules that are adhered to. The chaos of college football today is due to too much change too quickly and not having better rules in place to ensure fairness.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I'm sure those issues were on Saban's mind. But also family health issues. Word is Ms Terry hasn't been well. I hope that's not true or at least exaggerated.

 

[Tidelines]

I think that is part of the reason coach Saban hung it up. He has had total control over the program for a long time and been successful doing it that way. This past year took a toll on " his " control of the program. Interference came not from fans or boosters. It came from players. If he couldn't do what was best for the team because of attitudes, he couldn't do it any longer. The players run the game today. That is a shame and will end in disaster.

 

[2003TIDE]

Not sure why ppl feel the need to keep posting the health rumors since they know this site doesnt allow rumors.

 

[tidefan39817]

Josh Pate said last night that he’s been told off the record by multiple coaches that they are ready to call it quits because of the state of the game. Said he’s heard horror stories of recruits shaking down the coach for money.

Wasn't it ohio state that paid a kid $5k just for a recruiting visit? The fact that most freshmen feel that if they don't play as a freshman they can just tranfer is ridiculous. Most never develop to their full potential because of that.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I see Dabo, Malzahn, and others in this age range and older possibly retiring in five years or less if this circus show of NIL and the transfer portal aren't tightened up.

 

[hfhmilkman]

I find it hard to believe that it is NIL. Alabama is 1st or 2nd in recruiting per 247 from 2021-2024. If you have good character guys unlike Texas A&M, NIL is not going to be a problem. I would argue that NIL makes it easier to tell who not to recruit. If the money is the priority and not aspiring to be the best, then you have your answer on the odds of that individual being a good football player.

 

[bvandegraff]

Not sure if the OP is commenting on an ESPN article that came out this morning that offered Saban's first quotes since his retirement announcement. The gist is that this year was hard for him from the aspect of maintaining the energy level required to run a CFP program in 2024 and that he wanted to hand things off before he rode the program down. Also, the fact that his age was getting used against him in recruiting for the last few years was getting tiresome.

I'd much rather this and/or his distaste for the current system be the reason and not some health issue for him or his family.

 

[Power Eye]

Saban ready to support Alabama in transition

On the first day of his retirement in the wake of a legendary coaching career, Nick Saban was still thinking of his former Alabama team first.

www.espn.com

Here is the actual article, and Saban is pretty clear in it that the season did take its toll on him at times, so it seems that he's fine, but can't do the things he used to could do.

I am genuinely not trying to exaggerate things or trying to be cute, but in some ways he might be a martyr for the game. I hope that the powers that be realize that the sport lost an icon because he couldn't keep up with the requirements of the job anymore. It has gotten out of hand, and hopefully, some action will be taken quickly.

 

[Special K]

I'm sure those issues were on Saban's mind. But also family health issues. Word is Ms Terry hasn't been well. I hope that's not true or at least exaggerated.

I heard the same from my kid, who's on campus right now. I sure hope it's not accurate.

 

[JohnD]

NIL and the Portal is not the reason he is leaving. That may be the narrative for a while, and it does take up more of his time, which he has less of these days, but it is not the reason. It will come out in the next few weeks/months.

 

[bamadwain]

I'm sure those issues were on Saban's mind. But also family health issues. Word is Ms Terry hasn't been well. I hope that's not true or at least exaggerated.

I glad you brought that up, I have a good friend from work that is in touch with people in Tuscaloosa who say's the same thing but can't get into it, it would be sad for all they've done in the community

 

[bamacpa]

I don't think it's entirely the NIL/portal, because he seemed to play that as well as anyone.

 

[RollTide82]

NIL and the Portal is not the reason he is leaving. That may be the narrative for a while, and it does take up more of his time, which he has less of these days, but it is not the reason. It will come out in the next few weeks/months.

He said that during the meeting yesterday. Also Low said his sources stated that Nick has become increasingly frustrated over the season over it.

 

[PA Tide Fan]

I don't think it's entirely the NIL/portal, because he seemed to play that as well as anyone.

I think he used it because he knew it was the only way to stay among the elite teams. I think privately he hates it as much as Dabo does.