The possibility of college football completely separating from the NCAA has been debated and discussed in the era of name, image and likeness and conference realignment.
If it ever gets to that point, Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin knows who he would like to see be commissioner: Nick Saban.
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Penn State head coach James Franklin speaks with an official during the second half against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
“I think one of the most important things we can do is get a college football commissioner who wakes up every morning and goes to bed every night and makes decisions that are best for college football,” Franklin said Sunday. heading into the Fiesta Bowl, via ESPN.
“I think Nick Saban would be the obvious choice if we made that decision. Now, Nick will probably call me tonight and say, ‘Don’t do this,’ but I think he’s the obvious choice, right?”
Franklin said having a commissioner would be the first and important step to begin solving some of the problems that coaches and athletic directors have been talking about for the past five years.
He even proposed nixing the conference title games and shortening the season by focusing on the academic calendar.
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February 17, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Former Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban watches during a basketball game between Alabama and the Texas A&M Aggies at Coleman Coliseum. (Gary Cosby Jr.-USA Today Sports)
“God forbid we talk about academics, right?” he added. “It used to be that every conversation started with academics and that’s less and less. Maybe I’m old school and maybe I’m a traditionalist, but I still believe in the model. Instead of just saying this is a problem “I thought. I would make some recommendations, but I think one of the most important things we can do is get a college football commissioner.”
College football coaches have been especially concerned about the transfer portal and having the window open during bowl season.
“I feel really bad for our kids and kids all over the country,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said Tuesday, via ESPN. “There’s no other sport that has in-season free agency. It’s sad. It’s terrible. You hear the story about their backup quarterback saying, ‘I have no choice.’ That’s wrong. That’s unacceptable. He shouldn’t have to make that decision.
“The really easy thing is you don’t have a transfer portal in December. That’s the really easy answer and it solves all the problems. Why would we put kids in a position where they have to decide?” Should I transfer or play in the playoffs? Do I transfer or play my bowl game?…’ People are raiding our roster, trying to draft people from our roster, and we’re trying to focus on the playoffs. very easy – I don’t have a transfer portal in December. Go to spring.”
Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca celebrates an interception for a touchdown with head coach James Franklin against SMU during the first half of the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
For now, college football is still dependent on the NCAA.
