Steve Spurrier provides candid thoughts on Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher verbal spat

CandlerPark · May 2022

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/609762#Comment_609762

"the first time a perennial 8-4, 7-5 team sign the highest rated class in recruiting history."

You've hit on the key point, rxmaster.

Fisher's had success as a recruiter -- but nothing that compares the top class in NCAA history. And by a fairly large margin. And by a team that hasn't even one its division.

The question is: Was Jimbo simply leveraging the power of A&M's large and wealthy alumni base without getting into specific NIL deals? Or did someone at A&M cross the line by getting too explicit?

In his comment, Saban implied the latter. Maybe, it was Saban's way of pushing to NCAA toward a policy change. Maybe, he's even trying to agitate for an investigation of A&M (a reach, unless someone steps forward). Maybe, it was to signal that the Bama alumni base needs to step up (although Bama alums will never be able to pony up the same cash that A&M can). Or, maybe, in a relaxed moment, he just was letting slip frustration at a change that threatens his dominance. Whatever the case, Saban was going out on a limb.

It's not like all the other coaches ain't trying to use every tool at their disposal to their advantage. Maybe, A&M found the right way to reap its natural advantage with NILs while not crossing any lines.

But Jimbo's over-the-top reaction makes his look insecure and guillty, and his AD piled fuel on that impression. Plus it's just ****. And it makes me want to see him fail even more than I did before.

BigDawg61 · May 2022

There's probably an investigation already underway. Spurrier knows this, which is why he was unusually brief and restrained in his comments. LOL

Something occurred to me last night. It makes sense now, why Jimbo went postal on Saban.

Saban didn't mention the $30 mil price tag. Others did that for him, beginning with "Sliced Bread" in February.

Imagine if you were a highly recruited 5-star athlete that signed with A&M this year...... You get on campus and meet half of the other 23 4&5-star guys that came out of the Top 100. The rest will join the team for Summer OTA's and conditioning, after Graduating HS. You were approached with a $200,000 NIL deal and you're happy about it. You and the other guys start talking and comparing notes on various promises and deals. Most are fairly satisfied with where they stand.....Then it hits! News of $30 Mil used to buy the signing class. You know you were in the Top 10 of the Class and you only got $200,000. Everybody else "said" they got similar deals. Uh-oh...where did all the money go? Who got the most money? Which of my teammates is lying about what they got? Am I the only one that got suckered? Coach won't talk talk to me about it. He says he doesn't have anything to do with NIL deals and can't discuss it. $29.8 MIL went somewhere and it wasn't to sign me. I'm getting rooked. F__k the Aggies, if that's all they think of me...I want out.

That is going through the mind of every player on that team and discontent is contagious. The rookies and the veterans are all quietly questioning their decision to go to, or stay in, College Station. They're bitter 'cause they didn't get their fair share.

It doesn't matter if there actually was $30 MIL or not. If the players believe there was, then the effect is the same. Perception is 9/10ths of reality.

This has Jimbo scared shitless. Team morale and chemistry, headed in the wrong direction, is a very, very difficult thing to turn around. It could cost him the team and several transfers before everything is said and done.

I understand now, why he was so adamant and defensive. It's already begun. The team is going to tear itself apart from within over greed and distrust. I've seen it before and it ain't pretty. That little show he put on, was for the benefit of the players, especially the ones that haven't arrived yet. He's trying to convince them that $30 MIL didn't exist. The guys that aren't on campus yet, are probably asking questions and wondering why they aren't getting big bucks, like the internet, media and Fans say they are.

"SHOW ME THE MONEY" is going through a lot of young Aggie minds right now, like a runaway train. Jimbo is doing everything he can to stop it...while Saban is pouring on the coals. LMAO

Coach Prime Sanders and his #1 recruit are trying to do the same thing. They can't have 98% of the team thinking 2% got a $1 MIL deal. It would destroy team chemistry. I'm willing to bet, there aren't many players, playing for Jackson St. getting NIL deals. And, Sanders remarking that he doesn't get paid $1 MIL doesn't mean a darned thing. He would coach that team for free...he doesn't need the money.

Denying that these deals exist or that the money is on the table,, is falling on deaf ears. I think that horse is out of the barn. They might as well go ahead and admit it and at least preserve "trust", cause once that goes...game over.

Silver_Britches · May 2022

You got to like the Ol’ Ball Sack coach! 😀He’s always told it like it is. He was great for college football during his time. I’ll put him above Saban as the greatest coach in my lifetime. Like him or not, the man was a heck of a coach.