Nick Saban’s potential appointment as college football commissioner is a frequently discussed topic. Penn State’s James Franklin recently revived the conversation, suggesting the former Alabama coach would be the ideal candidate. This hypothetical scenario has been circulating for some time, particularly given the current landscape of the sport. With the transfer portal, NIL deals, an expanded College Football Playoff, and conference realignment, college football faces numerous challenges pulling it in various directions.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart, a former Saban assistant at Alabama, expressed support for Saban as commissioner. However, Smart also voiced concerns about the efficacy of such a position. “I don’t know if it’s as simple as let’s name a commissioner, and it solved all our problems,” Smart stated to reporters before the Sugar Bowl. “I don’t think that’s the case. We are governed by separate circumstances. Conferences govern us. The NCAA governs us. Now we have courts govern us. I think a commissioner would be a nice thing in theory, but what can they effectively get done if everybody can’t agree on something?”
Despite his reservations, Smart ultimately endorsed Saban for the role. “Nick would be great,” Smart said. “I know he’s a huge advocate for college football. He wants to make it better. He’s always been a person who believed in leaving it better than you found it. I have a lot of respect for the way he does it.”