Mel Tucker weighs in on state of NIL in wake of Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher feud

On3 imageby:Nick Schultz•05/24/22•

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In 2000, Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban were in their first year working together at LSU. Michigan State coach Mel Tucker was also on that staff, which is why the timing of his comments regarding NIL is interesting.

Tucker knows Saban well. The Alabama headman gave Tucker his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Michigan State from 1997 to 1998 and brought him with to LSU. The two then reunited in Tuscaloosa in 2015. With the conversation around NIL heating up — especially after Saban alleged Fisher and Texas A&M “bought every one of their players” — Tucker discussed his approach to the issue.

“I try to take the judgement out of it,” Tucker said, via The Detroit Free Press’ Tony Garcia. “I really do. I believe in neutral thinking, I’m not going to get too high or low, it’s not right or wrong, not good or bad, it just is what it is. You get a 1 or a 0. You get a W or an L.”

Saban’s comments led to a fiery response from Fisher, who called him a “narcissist” for his “despicable” remarks. Saban later apologized during an interview with SiriusXM, saying his point was that NIL collectives are the problem with the current NIL landscape.

More on Mel Tucker, Michigan State

Last year was Tucker’s second year as Michigan State head coach and he turned the program around. Led by former Wake Forest running back Kenneth Walker III, the Spartans went 11-2 overall, including 7-2 in Big Ten play. They then earned an appearance in the Peach Bowl, where they defeated Pittsburgh 31-21.

After the season, Walker declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and ended up getting selected by the Seattle Seahawks as the No. 41 overall pick in the second round. He was an integral part of Michigan State’s success in 2021, rushing for 1,636 yards — second in the FBS behind Central Michigan star Lew Nichols III, who totaled 1,848 yards on the ground. Losing Walker is huge for Michigan State in 2022, but the oddsmakers in Las Vegas still have the Spartans’ win total over-under at 7.5.