Nick Saban has 'no issues' with Jimbo Fisher, discusses learning from criticism

Nick Saban vs. Jimbo Fisher was the defining feud of the college football offseason. With Saban making suggestions that Fisher and Texas A&M made some shady pay-for-play deals to sign their No. 1 recruiting class, while Fisher fired back with threats of revealing some skeletons in the closet in Saban’s past when it comes to recruiting.

The saga continued at SEC Media Days, where Saban was prompted to talk about Jimbo Fisher. To which the Alabama head coach promoted peace rather than re-stirring the pot.

According to Mike Rodak from AL.com, Saban said he has “no issues” with Fisher. Then said, “I always take criticisms or whatever in a positive way to self-assess me personally in terms of maybe there is something I can do better. So any comments that anybody makes — you or any coach — I always take into consideration.”

According to Nick Saban, he used the back-and-forth with Fisher as a way to assess himself.

Original Nick Saban comments on Texas A&M

Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided harsh criticism of recruiting efforts by Texas A&M and coach Jimbo Fisher versus those of the Crimson Tide. While speaking at an event celebrating the 50-day countdown to the World Games in Birmingham, Saban claimed that Texas A&M “bought every player on their team” with NIL deals.

“I know the consequence is going to be difficult for the people who are spending tons of money to get players,” Saban said via AL.com. “You read about it, you know who they are. We were second in recruiting last year. A&M was first. A&M bought every player on their team. Made a deal for name, image and likeness.

“We didn’t buy one player. Aight? But I don’t know if we’re going to be able to sustain that in the future, because more and more people are doing it. It’s tough.”

The domino that kick-started quite a spat between the two former colleagues.