The Nick Saban Paradox – The Elder Statesman GOAT vs. Selfish Hypocrite

Jimbo’s Jumbo Rant - “Go Dig Into His Past”

On May 19, 2022, Fisher unleashed an explosive rant in response to Saban's claim that Texas A&M’s top-ranked recruiting class was “bought” through NIL deals.

Fisher, a former Saban assistant who had obvious intimate knowledge of how he operates, gave an unforgettable performance with such statements as “It's despicable that a reputable head coach could come out and say this when he doesn't get his way. Or when things don't go his way. The narcissist in him doesn't allow those things to happen."

Fisher went on about his frustration with how Saban’s status was elevated in the sport, saying, “We build him up to be the Czar of football. Go dig into his past or anybody who's ever coached with him. You can find out anything you want to find out — what he does and how he does it. And it's despicable.”

Additionally, Fisher revealed some of his scars from working for Saban as an assistant when he said, “This is the second time we've had to do this with grown men, who don't get their way, who want to pout, throw a fit, and act up. Just go ask all the people who work for him. They know exactly what he's about."

Fisher then alluded to Saban's hypocrisy, which has long been a point of contention with his critics: “What's funny, in that talk right before he said that about us, wasn't he soliciting funds from the crowd? It's amazing, wasn’t it? When you walk on water, I guess it doesn't matter. It's disgusting what we're into right now, especially by the people throwing the darts, who have no glass in their house."

Out of Touch and Double Dealing 

During his reign as Alabama's head coach, Nick Saban ran Tuscaloosa with a brutal iron fist. He was worshiped and never questioned. His word was the law, and he was treated as if he were infallible. Those who objected to Saban’s power were mercilessly attacked. 

Saban achieved the impossible of being considered equal, if not superior, to the late great Alabama legend Bear Bryant. For all of this and more, Saban accumulated wealth that few would be able to comprehend while bemoaning that college football players should not be paid. He parlayed his wealth into businesses, including luxury car dealerships for brands such as Mercedes-Benz.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with accumulating mass wealth in the United States. But operating by a separate set of rules and standards from everyone else is where problems arise and where Saban continues to annoy college football insiders, media, and fans.

Saban drew his share of criticism at the Senatorial conference when he lamented that all prospects and most of their parents care about anymore is how much they will be paid. 

Saban told of his wife Terry saying that the new world of college football, with its emphasis on player’s rights and compensation, was not what they were about. Terry then asked Saban the multi-million dollar question, "Why are we doing this?"  

Saban said at that moment, he knew it was time to get out.

Indeed, it was time for Nick Saban to leave coaching. Now, it is time for him to confess to being all about himself and gaining whatever advantage he can, even if the rules he demands for others never pertain to him.