Alabama Morning Drive: 5 reasons the Saban-Fisher feud should be resolved quickly
Good Friday morning, Crimson Tide fans! Welcome back to another edition of Alabama Morning Drive as we bring you the latest news and notes involving the Alabama Crimson Tide each weekday morning.
Wow! The last 24-36 hours have been completely crazy. The feud between Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher has taken center stage when it comes to news involving college athletics.
By now, I am sure you have heard the remarks from coach Saban regarding Texas A&M’s use of NIL as well as Fisher’s emotional response.
To quickly recap, on Wednesday night while speaking to some of the states of Alabama’s wealthiest, Alabama head coach Nick Saban voiced his concerns on the current nature of college athletics, especially when it comes to NIL. Saban said Texas A&M bought its 2022 recruiting class which finished as the top class in the country.
First thing Thursday morning, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, a former Saban assistant, held an emotion-filled press conference and completely shredded his former boss. Fisher repeatedly called Saban and his comments despicable and that people should dig into Saban’s past instead of thinking he is “God.”
Truth be told it is completely ridiculous the entire situation has occurred, and I want to list five reasons this feud between SEC West foes should be resolved as quickly as possible.
It puts a black eye on the SEC as a whole
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, left, talks to Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the start of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in College Station, Texas. AP Photo/Sam Craft
Whether you like it or not, optics matter. And the last couple of days has really given the SEC a black eye in the court of public opinion. If you don’t believe me, look how quickly SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey publicly reprimanded both Saban and Fisher.
Jimbo Fisher let his emotions get the best of him
Oct. 9, 2021; College Station; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher calls time out with one second left against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
It is never a good idea to get behind a microphone when your emotions are at a peak. Jimbo Fisher did just that. And while he may not be ready to admit it at the moment, it’s likely in six months Fisher will wish to have used a little different tone and maybe some different words than what he used on Thursday morning. Fisher crossed a lot of lines during his emotionally filled speech, I am sure he is starting to realize that now.
Nick Saban had an out-of-character moment
Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells to the sideline during the first half of Alabama’s A-Day NCAA college football scrimmage, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. AP Photo/Vasha Hunt
One of Nick Saban’s best qualities is his ability to make calculated statements that are without error more times than not. Saban went out of character on Wednesday night when he singled out Texas A&M, Jackson State and Miami. Saban has since apologized for his mistake, proving he knows he crossed the line.
Saban and Fisher both have the same goal
Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, right, shake hands during pre-game of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in College Station, Texas. AP Photo/Sam Craft
Lost in all of the hot takes and the Twitter defense attorneys is the fact that both coaches actually want the same thing. In each of their speeches, both Saban and Fisher expressed the need for a better governing body for college athletics so everyone is playing by the same rules.
So if everyone could please put their emotions to the side for a moment so we can focus on the real issue behind the current situation, the lack of leadership within college athletics.
Have we forgotten what college athletics is all about?
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks with head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles after their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Perhaps the biggest losers in the Saban-Fisher feud are the players. It’s the offseason, we should all be discussing Heisman and CFP favorites, not about some beef between long-time colleagues.
Saban has already put his ego aside and apologized for publicly going after Texas A&M and others. Maybe it’s time Jimbo did the same thing, so he and Saban can at least co-exist.
Regardless, this needs to be resolved quickly so we can get back to discussing what this sport we love is supposed to be about, the athletes.
That is going to wrap up our Friday edition of Alabama Morning Drive. Make sure you stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.
Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
1
1
1
1
1
1
