In January, Nick Saban When he announced he was stepping away from the sidelines, he sent shockwaves across the college football landscape. Shortly after the legendary coach retired, Saban officially joined ESPN.
While Saban primarily works as an analyst for the network’s long-running and popular pregame program, “College GameDay,” he also contributes to it NFL Draft reporting and appears on other ESPN shows and platforms. The final segment of an episode of “College GameDay” usually features a celebrity guest offering their picks for some of the upcoming games.
On Friday, comedian Shane Gillis was nominated as a guest selection. But at some point during his performance, one of the comedian’s jokes seemed to irritate Saban.
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During a discussion about the state of College footballGillis pointed to the relatively new “parity” that exists in the sport. But during his remarks, Gillis also appeared to suggest that either Saban or perhaps the Alabama football The entire program orchestrated or turned a blind eye to players receiving improper payments.
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“This feels different, it feels like we could win,” Gillis said. “There is parity, now that everyone can pay their players, Notre Dame has a chance. It’s not just the SEC, it’s not Coach Saban.” The seven-time national championship coach was not present when Gillis made his comments.
However, another ESPN college football analyst Pat McAfee Gillis finally reminded him of what he had said.
“You called him a fraud earlier,” McAfee remarked.
While Gillis said he made the comments in jest, Saban appeared to take offense at allegations that players under his watch were improperly compensated.
“I was just kidding,” Gillis said. “I don’t think the SEC ever paid the players. I’m just kidding. Isn’t this a fun show?”
Gillis eventually turned his attention to Saban’s clothing, particularly the retired coach’s hat.
“Old Alabama Jones means business,” Gillis joked, in an apparent reference to the hat that has become synonymous with the fictional character Indiana Jones.
Saban then gave a direct response to Gillis’ joke about how he ran the Alabama program during his 17-year tenure.
“I believe in integrity. “I have always tried to run the program in a way that gives the players a better chance of being successful in life,” Saban said. “We make more money in the NFL than any other school, 61 players in the league. That’s how we cheated. We developed players.”
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Saban won six national titles during his storied tenure in Tuscaloosa. Before taking the head coaching job at Alabama, Saban led the LSU Tigers to the BCS National Championship Game following the 2003 regular season.
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