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Alabama head coach Nick Saban Shares His Wish For The NCAA’s Transfer Portal
© Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dare I say Alabama head coach Nick Saban isn't a big fan of the current transfer portal...
quote:

“I think the portal is fine. I think players ought to have the opportunity to go to other places if they choose to do that,” Saban said, before diving in on his issues with the current system, via 247Sports. “But we also had a rule where they had to sit out for a year if they chose to do that. I think that is something that creates stability for them and it also creates stability for roster management."

“Look at a guy like Mac Jones who showed tremendous resilience here being here for three years…learning and developing and then having a great year, winning the Davey O’Brien and being a Heisman finalist, being a guy who overcame adversity,” Saban said. “If you ask him, that’s going to make him more successful in life.”

“When people can just go wherever they want to go, whenever they want to go, they don’t necessarily have the commitment in what they choose to do in the future. That’s not how things work in life. I’m all for the transfer portal…but the penalty we’ve had for not being immediately eligible, that deters (transferring) to some degree and I think that strikes a good balance.”
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(The Spun)
Filed Under: Alabama Sports
42 Comments
user avatar
entmd200238 months
And excellent post by Bama brother. I think if a coach wants to transfer or change jobs and he should have to sit out a year just the same
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entmd200238 months
Saban used an example of a guy who stayed that was successful. However there are many others who have transferred and become extremely successful i.e. Alvin Kamara
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droliver38 months
Saban is just wrong here. All consideration for be for the athlete’s preference rather then the benefit of a program. As much as we love CFB, it’s an amateur sport.
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AtlantaLSUfan39 months
Stop posting photos of coaches in masks. It’s stupid and creepy. How hard is it to find one with their face?
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BamaBo739 months
It a liberal agenda.. and it to the down fall of America it won the election.
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Purple Tiger King39 months
I couldn't agree more with wise old Nick.
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Bama _Brotha39 months
I disagree. If they don't want to be there, don't force them to play this silly game of life where you make them feel ashamed for wanting to go elsewhere. Coaches leave all the time. Sitting out a year was always overrated. Next five star up or out. Please Transfer if you don't want to be here. It's not personal. A kid shouldn't have to ride the pine or be on the scout team for a year because a coach is concerned about his roster. Manage it better and plan for these things. adapt!! Roll Tide!!!
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Che Boludo39 months
The kids "commit" to a program. The program and University invest in the kid. Asking a young man to honor his commitment to see something through and provide predictability for the program that enabled his scholarship is hardly a bad thing. Yes, sometimes it will just be a bad fit. But, that is why transfers are and should be allowed. I like the sit out rule as it is a deterrent from mass free agency and what would be non-stop recruiting and tampering. The kids need stability to develop as players for those FEW with a chance at the NFL and for all to have legit chances of completing degrees (up to the graduate level for those who maximize the opportunity) that will help them beyond football. I'd caveat the above with student athlete getsa free transfer and immediate eligibility if their is a HC change before the completion of their Sophomore year. Also, ALL transfer players should get a one time exception that allows them to retain an additional year of eligibility, so the year they sat out costs them in time and not eligibility
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Bama _Brotha39 months
I get it however. Everything you mentioned about a deterrent is not fair to the athlete. Most kids are going to stay however I can not agree with a system that holds you hostage. So they invest in them and all this good stuff and that is fine. A student should not be forced to sit a year because a program is scared of an exodus of players. Commitments are overrated in this time and age. I want them to stay but I don't want coaches and organizations preventing players from doing what is best for them even if you disagree. It hits me the same way with the "One and Done Rule" and Basketball programs griping about players leaving. Let them go if they want to go and let them transfer if they want. Now I will agree with the earlier proposal about one transfer and you don't have to sit out a year. But just ONE! After that you have to sit unless there is a special circumstance.
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CBandits8239 months
As usual on topics like this he is right
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GurleyGirl39 months
I agree with Coach Saban; choices have consequences. When a student athlete signs a letter of intent, it is a commitment to a valuable scholarship at the associated university. A one year penalty does not seem an unreasonable consequence of essentially defaulting on that commitment unless there are significant changes that alter the conditions of the commitment. For instance, I can see the firing of the head coach who recruited you as being one of those conditions.
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RazzleDazzle39 months
Agreed
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NASA_ISS_Tiger39 months
Saban's not wrong with his assessment in my opinion. I like the idea of sitting out a year or going to a FCS school. Another option would be for a portal transfer student to be able to play immediately at an FCS school if the transfer is NOT in the same conference. Or allow the school to block where the student can transfer to. Grad transfers should be allowed anywhere and immediate play time. They've paid their dues.
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GetmorewithLes39 months
I agree with Nick on this for the Portal. I do agree with the Grad Transfer rule for immediate eligibility. Those people have put in the time to earn the right to transfer and have immediate opportunity.
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Luckydog39 months
As normal he is correct
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ArkTiger5539 months
Larry I think Nick left some white stuff on your chin...
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Tiger in Texas39 months
Saban talking about roster management and stability??!! What does he know about fair? Another year, another Bama #1 recruiting class and of course, over 25 signees. You also have to wonder how Charger U never gets even a slap on the wrist from SEC or NCAA Gestapo! Screw that bastard and his opinion on what's fair!!
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Vidic39 months
Haha
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Toroballistic39 months
Your tears are salty sweet
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1BamaRTR39 months
You sound jealous
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mikertheTIGER39 months
the portal is like free agency... he doesn't like b/c he loses control, and he can't win (NFL) when not in control
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TaderSalad39 months
Accept there is no contracts binding the player to the University for "x" amount of time. I'm all for some portal reform. Either have the player sit out one year if it's not before their last year of eligibility. Seems like a fair solution for everyone.
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HughsWorkPhone39 months
The way saban dominates recruiting, I don’t think it would be good for anyone to have to recruit against him again after a player develops into a star on your roster.
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shoelessjoe39 months
I agree with Saban. Just because he disagrees with the system doesn’t mean he can’t take advantage of the broken rules. If it’s within the rules and the rules are shitty, it’s ok.
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Chalkywhite8439 months
It does deter players.
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ApexTiger39 months
I agree with Nick...
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JesusQuintana39 months
Lol, the guy that has basically a monopoly on recruiting is talking about balance. Funny stuff
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Vidic39 months
Lol has this become the talking point about saban? Know he’s a cheater but can never tell you exactly how he’s cheating or why it’s against the rules
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sportjunkie6939 months
I don't think that rule would stand up in court. It doesn't protect the player and in fact harms them. Plus, a scholarship is good for 1 year, and the players rely on the school to renew. Players should be able to decline the option and move on.
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Mustang9939 months
In reality the school doesn’t have the same option. If the institution doesn’t renew for ANY player for ANY reason then their name is “Mud” in recruiting forever
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