It’s almost as if Nick Saban was yearning for his tenure as the figurehead of a prestigious blueblood program to end. Just so he can get his hottest, most outlandish takes off in the national media. Sans of any worry about representing Alabama in a bad light. The proverbial shoe is now firmly on the other foot. Saban’s retirement from coaching made the football sphere wonder if they’ll long for his colorful anecdotes and monologues. However, his newfound role on ESPN’s CollegeGameday has allowed him to pick up where he left off. In fact, Saban added a little more color and spice to his dictionary than it would’ve been suitable to do as head coach. Something that’s landed him in hot water.

At the risk of flaring some PTSD within the Ohio State fanbase, hark your minds back to The Game last season. The flag-planting fiasco in the backwash of OSU-Michigan spawned takes left and right. Saban, too, over on GameDay, was confronted for his perspective. After the penalization for the perpetrators was announced, he was convinced the reprimand of $100,000 forced by the NCAA was too small. Perhaps enough for the crime, but not enough relative to the affluent criminals.

On GameDay, in the build-up to the SEC Championship game, Nick Saban expressed his disdain. But his delivery mechanism was rather hilarious and contained some expletives. Saban said, “First of all, I think we need guidelines. But I think to fine these schools $100,000 is like worrying about mouse manure when you’re up to your ears in elephant s–t.” That censored word, albeit not too bad in the grand scheme of things, has landed Saban in some trouble himself. Viewers who took issue have complained to the FCC about Saban “swearing” on national TV.

“Nick Saban said the word s–t twice, b–ch once, and something else I can’t remember,” read the official complaint. This was logged by a person from Missouri. The plot indeed thickens, and it’s no surprise it was an SEC state. Saban did haunt those Mizzou fans for years. “I tune (in) to gain knowledge and insight on college football, not to have profanity stuffed in my face by a former coach trying to be funny. It will continue until you (fine) them a million dollars or more. Chinchy fines accomplish nothing.” read the remainder of this complaint. If Saban thought that a $100k fine wasn’t enough, this demand surely counteracts it on the opposite side of the spectrum!

2 further complaints were logged as well. Both were based on the premise that the show is broadcast in the morning, a time when children are glued to the TV. One complaint lamented the use of “bulls–t” by Saban on air. Even his co-panelist Pat McAfee caught flak for his own language. All these complaints were veiled behind anonymity. Well, the actions, or lack thereof, taken by the ACC are now conspicuous. Alongside the verdict, an SEC insider has leveraged his own thoughts on this half-understandable, half-silly ordeal. 

Insider relays FCC’s verdict alongside his own 2 cents on the latest Nick Saban controversy

Over the “Locked on SEC” podcast, host Chris Gordy explained why Nick Saban is largely in the clear. “According to the FCC enforcement actions log, ESPN did not receive any penalty. Here’s the big reason why, folks. Cable television is not subject to the same obscenity rules as terrestrial TV,” he said. Gordy stated how ESPN is a “cable package, much like HBO.” People are paying for and subscribing to it out of their own will. Therefore, they “don’t follow the same rules” as an ABC or CBS. “[ESPN] can kind of do whatever they want,” he said. The official decree aside, Chris Gordy proceeded to chime in with his own thoughts.

“Come on, folks. What are we doing?” He asked rhetorically, almost amused at this being a thing. “I guess it’s still very much a family show, but it’s an entertainment show. Nick Saban is human. That’s how he talks. He’s gonna drop an S-bomb from time to time. If you feel really offended by that in the year 2025…maybe you’re better off doing something else. Not watching College GameDay,” said Gordy. The consensus sentiment across social media in light of this revelation has been along the same lines. It’s a little petty, all things considered. Albei,t the point about the children being exposed to profanity is a fair one.

Nick Saban has perpetually divided opinion. His fans adore him, and his ‘naysayers’ despise him. But there is an underlying sense of respect across the board. This episode will likely boil over and be forgotten in the archives in due time. Maybe the Mizzou fan he gave sleepless nights to can take solace from this slight dent he’s caused in Saban’s reputation.