Nick Saban questions if LSU has adapted enough to remain a top college football job

Nick Saban knows first-hand that LSU has long been one of the top jobs in all of college football. However, after the firing of Brian Kelly and the discourse that has followed surrounding the Tigers, he’s wondering if the program has to take a look in the mirror.

He joined The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, where Saban examined LSU’s standing amid the resurgence of programs like Indiana and Vanderbilt. It might’ve been unthinkable a couple of seasons ago, but the legendary coach wondered if the Tigers had fallen behind, and maybe they’re not as great a job as it once seemed

“I think one of the things that is really important now in college football, and let me make a comparison for you, in the NFL, everything’s vertically integrated in one building. In other words, the rules are clearly defined by the league as to what you can and can’t do. Whether it’s salary cap, contracts, whatever it is. You either succeed or fail based on what happens in the building. From the owner to the GM, to the coaches, to the personnel folks, to the player. College is just kind of the opposite. Everything’s happening externally, not internally, like it is in the NFL,” Saban explained.

“So you’ve got all these external factors that are constantly changing. Whether it’s the transfer portal, how much you can pay guys, revenue sharing, what kind of collective do you have? So, traditionally, how have you been able to adapt to that? And my point about tradition is, some of the traditional jobs, like LSU, that people always looked at as one of the best jobs, have they adapted to all these things like they need to to be able to continue to be one of the best jobs in the country?

“I think that’s why you see Vandy, Indiana — places who have not historically been traditionally great jobs, actually having a lot of success now, because they have managed the external factors very well to bring it in-house so that they can function effectively. So what’s to say LSU, Florida — they’re traditionally the best jobs, but are they the best jobs now, relatively speaking, based on how they’ve adapted to the external circumstances that really affect your ability to be successful in college football?”

Part of what made LSU such an attractive gig was Louisiana as a whole, and the incredible recruits the state pumps out year in and year out. Saban believes the advent of NIL and the transfer portal has led to regional recruiting being less impactful, and that could be having an impact on LSU’s descent from top-tier status.

“I can’t give you any statistical facts on this, but is regional recruiting as effective as it once was?” Saban added. “You know, I’ve also made the statement that kids in Louisiana grew up wanting to go to LSU. Kids in Alabama grew up wanting to go to Alabama. Well, some of those kids are going to Ohio State because they’re getting paid more. And it becomes a little bit more about money than it does about regional alliances.

“And you can’t blame the kids for it. I’m not. Don’t want you to think that. But so at the same time, I’m saying, if you don’t have those resources — you know, it used to be about program facilities. How can you develop players? How can you create value for their future? Well, how can you create value for them right now? It’s what’s changed in college football, and how have you adapted to them?”

Regardless of whether they agree, LSU’s brass would be well served to listen to Saban. Whether or not he’s right, the legendary coach is usually ahead of the curve, and the Tigers want to stay on the inside track. Their next hire could determine everything about their future.