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‘I didn’t say anybody did anything wrong’: Nick Saban asked about Texas A&M comments at SEC meetings
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The SEC stole offseason headlines a few weeks ago with Nick Saban’s comments about Texas A&M’s success on the recruiting trail, saying the Aggies “bought” all of their players. Obviously, that didn’t sit well with head coach Jimbo Fisher.
This week, Saban and Fisher are sharing space at the SEC meetings in Destin, Florida. Though it seemed his comments on Texas A&M’s recruiting were in the rearview mirror — for the time being — the Alabama head coach was asked about what he said a few weeks ago.
It provided Saban an opportunity to clear up any confusion.
“I didn’t really say that anybody did anything wrong,” Saban said. “OK, and I’ve said everything I’m gonna say about this. I guess the point — and I never should’ve mentioned any individual institutions. … I have no problem with Jimbo, at all.”
“I didn’t say anybody did anything wrong… I have no problem with Jimbo.”
Nick Saban addresses his previous comments on Texas A&M’s recruiting class
(via @bmarcello)
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 31, 2022
Texas A&M brought in an historic recruiting class during the 2022 cycle, landing 30 total prospects, which included 8 players with a 5-star ranking and 19 with a 4-star rating. Alabama ranked second with 22 total blue-chip prospects.
“We were second in recruiting last year, A&M was first,” Saban said earlier this year. “A&M bought every player on their team. Made a deal for name, image, and likeness. We didn’t buy one player. But I don’t know if we will be able to sustain that in the future because more and more people are doing it.”
Fisher didn’t take kindly to those remarks.
“It’s despicable that a reputable head coach can come out and say this when he doesn’t get his way or things don’t go his way,” Fisher said in response to Saban’s comments. “The narcissistic in him doesn’t allow those things to happen. It’s ridiculous when he’s not on top.”
While Saban says he’s done talking about it, the spat between the two reputable head coaches will carry over into SEC Media Days in July, as well as the showdown between SEC powers on Oct. 8.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB