Nick Saban corrects Shane Gillis after coach’s joke over cheating during Alabama tenure
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In January, Nick Saban sent shock waves through the college football landscape when he announced that he would be stepping down from the sidelines. Shortly after the legendary coach retired, Saban officially joined ESPN.
While Saban works primarily as an analyst for the network’s long-running and popular pregame show, “College GameDay,” he also participates in coverage of the NFL Draft and appears on other ESPN shows and forums. The final segment of an episode of “College GameDay” usually features a celebrity guest giving their picks for some of the upcoming games.
On Friday, comedian Shane Gillis was chosen as the guest of choice. But during one of his appearances, one of the comedian’s jokes seemed to irritate Saban.
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During a discussion on the state of college football, Gillis cited the new “equality” that exists in the sport. But during his remarks, Gillis seemed to assert that Saban or perhaps the Alabama football system as a whole orchestrated or turned a blind eye when players received improper payments.
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“This feels different, it feels like we can win,” Gillis said. “There is equality, now that everyone can pay their players, Notre Dame has a shot. It’s not just the SEC, it’s not Coach Saban.” The coach who has won the national title seven times was not present when Gillis made his comments.
Comedian Shane Gillis is shown before the Indiana-Notre Dame game on Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
However, fellow ESPN college football analyst Pat McAfee ended up reminding Gillis of what he said.
“You’ve called him a cheater before,” McAfee remarked.
Although Gillis said he made the comments in jest, Saban appeared to be offended by the suggestion that players were unfairly compensated under his watch.
“I was just playing for myself,” Gillis said. “I don’t think the SEC pays players. Ever. I’m kidding. Isn’t this a fun show?”
Nick Saban speaks during ESPN’s “College GameDay,” Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Gillis ended up looking at Saban’s attire, specifically the retired coach’s hat.
“Ol’ Alabama Jones is serious,” Gillis joked in 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 managed the Alabama program during his 17-year run.
“I believe in honesty. I’ve always tried to run the program that way so that the players have a better chance to succeed in life,” said Saban. “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 tenure in Tuscaloosa. Before taking the head coaching job at Alabama, Saban led the LSU Tigers to the BCS National Championship game after the 2003 regular season.
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