New FOX Sports analyst Mark Ingram says he will criticize Nick Saban if he has to

The FOX Big Noon Kickoff panel will have a new face as Mark Ingram comes board. The former Alabama football star joins the network this season and will weigh in on a variety of topics around the game, meaning he’ll discuss his alma mater at times.

That means Ingram might have to be critical of Nick Saban if the situation warrants it. He’ll be up to the task, though.

Ingram joined The Rich Eisen Show and made it clear he’ll criticize Saban if the coach deserves it. It’s all part of his job as an analyst, a job he got a taste of during the Sugar Bowl with the Crimson Tide Network.

“I’m going to call it how it is,” Ingram said. “I’m a straight shooter. I’m not going to fabricate it. And if I have to call out Coach, I’ll let him know. That’s just part of the new gig. I’m going to just call it how it is. I’m going to be honest, I’m going to be truthful. If that happens to happen … that’s what has to happen.”

Ingram played for Alabama from 2008-10 and won the Heisman Trophy in 2009. He spent 11 years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. He’ll now join the FOX panel and replace Reggie Bush, who reportedly left the network due to a contract dispute.

On Big Noon Kickoff, Ingram will join FOX’s impressive panel of analysts. Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, former USC star Matt Leinart and former Florida and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer are all set to be back on board with host Rob Stone when the show comes back Sept. 2 when it heads to Colorado vs. TCU.

It will mark quite the start to Ingram’s time at FOX with the hype around Deion Sanders building ahead of his Power Five debut and as TCU comes off a national championship appearance in its first season under Sonny Dykes.

FOX made Ingram’s hiring official July 6 in a press release and in his statement, he sounded more than ready to get started on the desk ahead of the big games of the week.

“I’m thrilled to join FOX Sports and BIG NOON KICKOFF”, Ingram said.  “I can’t wait to feel the energy and excitement every Saturday, alongside some of the most talented and entertaining names in our sport, at the biggest games in college football – I’m ready for the Fall!”