Nick Saban explains where he'd start with fixing problems in college football

Nick Saban hasn’t hid his thoughts on some aspects of the ever-changing college football landscapes, especially when it comes to NIL. The Alabama head coach has supported players making money off their name, image and likeness, but also acknowledged some shortcomings of the process.

In addition to NIL, the transfer portal is also an important part of the equation now that athletes have immediate eligibility. Players have also been opting out of bowl games lately to help prepare for the NFL Draft — something Saban previously discussed ahead of the Sugar Bowl.

As for how he’d go about fixing things, Saban told FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt it’s a balancing act of sorts.

“I think you have to create a balance between how much do you take and how much do you give?” Saban said. “We’re giving people scholarships. We’re creating name, image and likeness opportunities. But what is their commitment? I mean, there’s no place in the world where you don’t have a contract. If you’re going to receive benefits, you have a contract and an obligation to do a certain job. So when you can opt out, transfer, do whatever you want whenever you want, I’m not sure that balance is quite right.”

“I know there’s a lot of people out there that are much more qualified than me that are trying to figure out how do we fix this? But I think we do need to create some balance because I think at the end of the day, when you create an atmosphere where somebody’s tentatively committed to what they’re trying to accomplish, you have to evaluate is that really a good thing? Because we all need to be totally committed to whatever our goals and aspirations are, the sense of purpose that we have, if we’re going to have a chance to be successful.”

Saban’s stance has remained the same about the impact opt-outs and the transfer portal have on college football, especially with so much movement on the transfer front. Over 2,300 players entered the portal during the 2022 portal cycle, and that number increased to nearly 2,700 during the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Wire. Alabama also saw 20 players transfer out this offseason.

But Saban has addressed the role NIL can play with the portal, as well. He specifically discussed potential inducements, which are against NCAA rules, and how that impacts the purpose of the portal.

“First of all I think NIL is good for the players,” Saban said on the “The Next Round” podcast in April. “I think it gives them an opportunity to make money and use their name, image and likeness, which is what it was supposed to be. But what we’ve made it and the unintended consequence of collectives and creating opportunities for players that they really didn’t create on their own — and they use that in recruiting and it becomes a pay-for-play type of thing — I don’t think that’s what anybody wanted it to be or thinks it should be.”