Nick Saban: 'I don’t have any regrets over what I said Wednesday night'

Alabama head coach Nick Saban told ESPN’s Chris Low that he shouldn’t never singled out Texas A&M or Jackson State, and admitted he should have been more specific when using the word “bought” in reference to compensating players through NIL.

“But other than that, I don’t have any regrets over what I said Wednesday night,” Saban said.

Saban spoke at an event Wednesday night, giving his take on NIL and the schools he alleges payed players through NIL to play for Fisher in College Station. The comments quickly made the rounds on social media, which drove Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher to address the media that next morning.

The seven-time national champion may not regret his words from Wednesday night, but believes someone needed to speak up on the under-handed method he alleges those schools recruited certain players.

“A lot of people are silent [on using NIL to pay players to go to school],” Saban said. “But, you know, at this stage of my career, I’m not worried about what people think of me.”

Nick Saban calls out Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M for NIL recruiting methods

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 reportedly 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.”