Saban Says NIL, Donors Driving Midseason Firings

Nick Saban, now an ESPN GameDay analyst, used a recent broadcast to say wealthy donors and NIL-driven payments have empowered boosters to pressure athletic directors and fueled a wave of midseason coaching firings. He told ESPN the influx of money has changed how players are coached and called Penn State coach James Franklin’s firing “unfair as hell.” College football has seen nine FBS coaches dismissed midseason so far, including Franklin and Florida’s Billy Napier. Saban, a seven-time national champion, warned the sport must preserve players’ improved quality of life while refocusing on development and education — tensions that helped motivate his move to broadcasting. He also pointed to the uneven start of his Alabama successor, Kalen DeBoer (after a 9-4 2024 and a 2025 opener loss before a six-game win streak that reached No. 4), as part of the changing landscape for programs and coaches.