"Every coach should be looking forward and not backward": Nick Saban advises coaches to adjust to the NIL and transfer portal system

Nick Saban, the former head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, has remained in the public eye after his retirement from coaching earlier in the year. Saban has spoken about many topics, but there have been two topics that he has spoken about a lot.

The topics in question are the NIL (Name Image Likeness) and the transfer portal. Ever since its implementation into college sports in 2021, the landscape of college football changed in both the transfer portal and recruitment.

It is a constantly changing world, and Nick Saban has advised his fellow coaches to adapt to the current situation in college football.

Every coach should be looking forward and not backward in terms of 'we've always done it this way.' Well, you can't do it that way anymore. Being adaptable to the circumstances you are in so that you have a chance to be functionally successful with the opposition who are potentially adapting [is crucial]."

The NIL and its effect on college sports

The two biggest changes in college football have been the passing of the NIL and the recent changes to the transfer portal rules.

The NIL allows players to make money from sponsorship deals and the use of their image and likenesses.

This has had many positives and has turned the NCAA's model of "student-athletes" on its head. College athletes are now treated a similar way to their professional counterparts, which better prepares them for when they turn pro.

Additionally, the NIL is the reason why over 10,000 players will be available in the upcoming 'College Football 25' video game, which is a win for both fans and players.

The new transfer portal rules and their effect on college football

However, the passing of the NIL rules has had a less positive effect on the transfer portal.

It has given players a financial incentive to leave their programs if they believe they are not going to get any meaningful game time. Players can leave for a new program, which may have promised them the chance to have a NIL deal, which can be worth thousands and sometimes millions of dollars.

There were previously rules in place to stop players from moving programs every season. This was in the form of not being able to play for the new program for a full season if it was the player's third program during his college career.

This normally was enough to stop players from moving more than once during their short college career, as missing one year could have a massive effect on the player's draft stock and potential.

But now, the NCAA has changed this rule, and players can immediately play for their new program.

This has created a sense of jeopardy with the coaches, who know that a player who they see a part of the future could leave at any point for more money.

These are all things that, according to Nick Saban, college football coaches are going to have to adapt to in order to stay competitive.

Do you think that the NIL and the new transfer portal rules will help or hinder college football?