College football is a very novel and standalone microcosm of the sports realm. It’s atypical in how it is adjudicated. The fate of teams and individuals lies at the mercy of a committee or panel just as much as your own performances. Everything from the top down has a very make-shift, amateur touch to it without a figurehead in place. The apprehension to the revamped CFP format went to show how the sport needs a directive. In this era of changing dynamics in the sport, a seismic one is perhaps on the horizon.

Mostly stemming from this “botched” CFP remodel, coaches of major programs across conferences are suggesting a CFB commissioner be appointed. This will be in line with how Roger Goodell or Adam Silver oversee their respective pro leagues. It will also bring the numerous conferences under one umbrella to, in theory, at least, bring more unison. Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin floated the idea that Nick Saban should be the one appointed were this to transpire. Penn State’s James Franklin also concurred with this idea and the appointment of Saban. With this beginning to gain traction among the powers that be, Boise State’s Spencer Danielson has also joined this legion of coaches. However, he has a different candidate in mind.

In the lead up to their Fiesta Bowl Date, the duo was asked to shed light on this matter during their joint presser. Danielson said, “College Football is in a very interesting place. Do changes need to be made? I believe they do… I am going to throw my vote in for Chris Peterson to be a part of that commissioner [bid] as well.” Peterson, notably the former HC of Boise State and Washington, is not working in CFB in any capacity right now.

Proceeding this, James Franklin was also asked for an update on his stance on Nick Saban. He stated that he “has not heard from Nick”. Franklin was in agreement with his opposite number about Chris Peterson, saying he’d be a great alternative.  He extended the shortlist himself. Franklin threw Dave Clawson into the mix as well, even going as far as saying he’s spoken to him along similar lines. Clawson recently left his disposition as HC of Wake Forest after a decade in the role. Danielson and Franklin weren’t the only coaches questioned about this development in their CFP presser.

As is the case with any change to the convention, it’s met with skepticism. The current structure of college football is fractured, but it’s not broken. Owing to this, one of the biggest programs in the country, who is doing better than ever in the modern era, perhaps wouldn’t mind if things stayed the same way. As such, when Georgia Bulldogs HC Kirby Smart chimed in on the discourse, he had a more subdued perspective. No way he’s raining on mentor Nick Saban’s parade, right?

Kirby Smart on Nick Saban as CFB commissioner, alongside the advent of the role

Speaking to the media ahead of his team’s Sugar Bowl date with Notre Dame, coach Smart was confronted with a question pertaining to the CFB commissioner train that his peers have put into effect. “I don’t know that it’s as simple as saying, ‘let’s name a commissioner’, and it solves all our problems. I don’t think that’s the case.” said Kirby Smart. He elaborated on his stance, alongside his thoughts on Nick Saban as the figure of this revolution.

“I think we’re governed by several separate circumstances. Conferences govern us. NCAA governs us. Now. We have courts governing us, and nobody is over all of those. I think a commissioner would be a nice thing in theory, but what can they effectively get done if everybody can’t agree on something?” he remarked. Smart also added, “Nick [Saban] would be great. I know he’s a huge advocate for college football. He wants to make it better. He’s always been a person that believed in to leave it better than you found it, and I have a lot of respect for the way he does it.”

Nick Saban or someone else, a commissioner is perhaps the direction in which the sport is eventually trending towards. With the amount of eyeballs and money now involved in CFB, it’s adjacent to the pro leagues anyways. Streamlining operations and having a clearer hierarchy does seem like it will be a net positive. Nick Saban knows the sport inside out, and with his reverence within the coaching circle, expect his name to garner more traction along the way.