Nick Saban once again spoils the party for everyone, especially players
Nick Saban has had a lot to say about the satellite camps run by Jim Harbaugh and other coaches, and the NCAA’s ruling probably has the Alabama head coach grinning from ear to ear.
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Alabama head football coach Nick Saban was intent on preserving the geographic advantage that he and other SEC coaches think they hold, and Jim Harbaugh’s satellite camp invasion into the southeast was a threat to the sovereignty of the SEC.
Or at least that’s how Saban and others in the conference viewed it.
And yes, both SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and ACC commissioner John Swofford let it be known they weren’t in favor of these camps, but we’re talking about the man with the real power here…Nick Saban.
More than once, Nick Saban expressed his displeasure with the idea of coaches leaving their castles in the midwest and crossing the moat into SEC country.
“If we’re all going to travel all over the country to have satellite camps, you know, how ridiculous is that?” Saban said last April at a Crimson Caravan stop in Huntsville. “I mean we’re not allowed to go to all-star games, but now we’re going to have satellite camps all over the country. So it doesn’t really make sense.”
Even as recently as this week Saban took a swing at the idea.
“I’m really not even thinking that it has that much value,” Saban said on Wednesday, via AL.com. “What would be a more interesting question for you to research…and I can’t answer this…the teams that have done them, what value does it serve? How many players did they get? They had some players commit to them and some of those players de-committed, and I know they even wanted to drop some of those players when they found out they could get better players.”
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Well if it doesn’t really make a difference then why make such a stink, Nick?
While his public face was debating those points and questioning the value of the camps, you can bet your favorite houndstooth fedora that behind the scenes Saban was stomping his feet and reliving the terrible twos for the NCAA.
And, as it always seems to go…what Saban wants, Saban gets.
The NCAA has once again crumbled under the weight of Saban’s might, and has made any traveling camps or hiring of coaches in camps outside of their school, essentially verboten.
From the NCAA Council press release:
"“The Council approved a proposal applicable to the Football Bowl Subdivision that would require those schools to conduct camps and clinics at their school’s facilities or at facilities regularly used for practice or competition. Additionally, FBS coaches and non-coaching staff members with responsibilities specific to football may be employed only at their school’s camps or clinics. This rule change is effective immediately.”"
Ask the NCAA to make a ruling when it comes to the well-being of a player, and you’ll be waiting a long time. But when Nick Saban turns his sharpened daggers their way, the action is swift and decisive. Ruling the college football world on the field isn’t enough, Saban wants to tighten an iron grip to make sure that nothing stands in the way of winning.
So, now Saban (and the SEC coaches who silently lined up behind him) can keep their perceived advantage and not have to worry about a spring and summer seige from Harbaugh, Urban Meyer, James Franklin or any other Big Ten coach who wanted to expose some of the less sought after SEC recruits to the possibility of coming to their school.
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Way to spoil the party for some hard-working kids who might not be able to make your over-committed list at Alabama, coach. Take another 5-star out of petty cash and pat yourself on the back.