• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Nick Saban Is Too Successful to Complain About NIL

  • Saban called out the Aggies for “buying” their top-ranked class via name, image, and likeness.
  • His Crimson Tide claimed 11 of the last 14 recruiting titles — including seven straight at one point.
Mickey Welsh-Montgomery Advertiser

Nick Saban had some choice words for Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, but they seemed  unwarranted — after all, what does the winningest active college football coach have to complain about?

On Wednesday, Saban called out the Aggies for “buying” their top-ranked class via name, image, and likeness, while his Crimson Tide did it “the right way” — with 25 players leveraging roughly $3 million in NIL deals, according to Saban himself.

In response, Saban’s former assistant coach told reporters, “I know how some of those guys recruit, too… You don’t want to go down that avenue.” 

  • Entering 2021, Saban claimed 11 of the last 14 recruiting titles — including seven straight.
  • Alabama QB Bryce Young is one of college football’s highest-paid athletes.
  • The Heisman winner made roughly $1 million in NIL deals with BMW, Cash App, Subway, and Logan’s Roadhouse.

Their roots run deep: Fisher was an assistant coach under Saban at LSU from 2000-06, winning a national championship in 2003.

It appears Saban has little to complain about. The Crimson Tide have won the most titles (14) in the AP Poll Era, and Saban himself surpassed Bear Bryant with seven of his own championships — the most for any D1 football coach. 

Plus, his $9.8 million salary is the highest of any college football coach. So what gives? 

Saban sounds mostly upset at the idea that his former assistant has outdone him in the new era of recruiting. The Tide lost to the Aggies in October, then to Georgia in the 2022 National Championship.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
exclusive

Fox Sports Nearing Deal for Dave Portnoy on ‘Big Noon,’ Barstool on..

Barstool content could fill some FS1 airtime vacated by three canceled shows.

Featured Today

2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jordan Ott
June 4, 2025

Mat Ishbia Goes Back to Michigan State Again in Quest to Fix..

Phoenix has now hired its coach and GM from the MSU tree.
Udoka
June 11, 2025

Knicks Striking Out on Big-Name Tom Thibodeau Replacements So Far

Three teams have denied the Knicks permission to interview their coaches.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.
June 3, 2025

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.
Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick holds up the sweatshirt worn by his father when he was an assistant coach at New North Carolina Tar Heels new at Loudermilk Center for Excellence.
June 2, 2025

Bill Belichick’s Buyout at UNC Dropped by $9 Million on Sunday

Belichick’s buyout dropped from $10 million to $1 million on Sunday.
Giraldez
May 30, 2025

Is Coach Moving In Michele Kang’s Soccer Empire A Sign For NWSL?

Kang is another owner taking on a multi-club model.
May 14, 2025

The Highest-Paid NFL Offensive Coordinators

Todd Monken of the Ravens and Mike Kafka of the Giants both earn an estimated $3 million annually.