Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
Alabama

Shane Gillis jokes Nick Saban paid players, cheated at Alabama: 'I don't think the SEC paid players ever'

On3 imageby: Andrew Graham12/21/24AndrewEdGraham
SabanGillis
Photos by MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images and Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise / USA TODAY NETWORK

As the old, vague (and pre-NIL) college football gripe goes: The SEC paid it players and never got punished. And it cropped up Friday night on ESPN’s College GameDay when comedian, actor and noted Notre Dame fan Shane Gillis joined the show in South Bend.

And it was former Alabama head coach Nick Saban ending up as the subject of some of Gillis’ humor. Asked if he thought the Irish had a shot against visiting Indiana and in general in the postseason, he shared his feelings.

“It’s always, with Notre Dame it’s like ‘Here’s the big game, let’s hopefully win it.’ This feels — feels different. This feels like we can win it. There’s some parity. Now that everybody can pay their players, Notre Dame has a shot. It’s not just the SEC, it’s not Coach Saban,” Gillis said during the kicking competition portion of the show.

Gillis later doubled down on the joke and joined in on prodding Saban for his getup. 

“I was just joking around. I don’t think the SEC paid players, ever,” Gillis deadpanned. “I’m joking. Is this not a fun show? A serious show? Alabama Jones is very serious. Get the whip, Indy!”

A slightly ruffled Saban had a simple retort to Gillis, though.

“I do believe in integrity. I always tried to run the program that way so players had a better chance to be successful in life. We made more money in the NFL than any other school. 61 players in the league.

“That was how we cheated: We developed players.”

Pat McAfee polled the GameDay crowd on Saban’s hat

When GameDay came on the air Friday afternoon, it was 33 degrees in South Bend ahead of Notre Dame vs. Indiana. The panel dressed accordingly for the conditions and Saban’s hat became a big hit.

Pat McAfee dubbed it his “Indiana Jones” hat as the show started from just outside Notre Dame Stadium. Later in the first segment, Rece Davis mentioned Saban’s fashion choice, which led McAfee to point out the legendary coach was debating even wearing it.

That led McAfee to poll the audience in attendance for the show. It’s safe to say, Saban’s hat was a hit with the fans standing before Touchdown Jesus.

“Hey, real quick, crowd. Can you see the hat Nick Saban is wearing right now?” McAfee said. “He was debating on whether or not to wear it. If you like it, can you make some noise, please? … If you think he shouldn’t have worn it, you can make some noise now. Made the right decision, brother.”