It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents
"Hello, my name is Nick Saban, and suddenly I feel the urge to talk about something."
HOOVER, Ala. – Far be it for me to steer attention away from an important issue like sports agents trying to recruit impressionable young men as their future clients, especially when said student-athletes clearly are in the middle of summer school classes as they work toward their doctoral thesis and certainly have no time to go to South Beach for a party.
But exactly when did Nick Saban become so concerned about sports agents, or, as he calls them: “pimps.”
Because I certainly don’t remember him speaking out when Reggie Bush helped get Southern Cal thrown into the NCAA’s penitentiary. And I don’t remember him saying anything when an Alabama player, Antonio Langham, took money from agent back in 1993. Just wondering: Was he upset a few days ago when he heard reports that a Florida player, Maurkice Pouncey, might have taken $100,000 from an agent. Because maybe we all missed that.
Saban has been coaching football for a lot of years and for a lot of teams, college and pro. This issue of agents preying on college players isn’t new. It predates 8-tracks. So it must just be an amazing coincidence that the Alabama coach is only now speaking so passionately about this issue, the day after his best defensive player, Marcell Dareus, was reported to be on an agent’s party list in Miami.
What prompts a coach generally so guarded in public to say of agents, “How are they any better than a pimp”? (and that should go over well with Saban’s agent, who was pimping the coach to NFL teams, including the Falcons, when Saban was still at LSU and then back to the SEC when he was with the Miami Dolphins, for roughly 10 minutes).
And what do we call it when Saban, in expressing how this issue affects everybody in the big picture, has an epiphany: “Maybe we need to not be so self-absorbed about how it just affects us and the NFL and see how it affects everyone and do something about it.” Because somehow “ironic” or “disingenuous” just don’t seem strong enough. (Breaking news: Elvis living on Neptune, and Nick Saban wants what’s best for everybody.)
Truth is, if you want to know why Saban is such a successful college football coach, this is reason No. 1. So many coaches know Xs and Os. So many can recruit. So many can sell their program and schmooze the mom and spot talent from a mile away and with the lights turned off.
Not every coach can do the things that really separate a program from the pack. Not every coach can motivate players like Saban or so flawlessly distract to his benefit by overinflating a storyline. A year ago, Alabama was coming off a great season but not nearly great enough. The Crimson Tide went through the regular season undefeated, but then lost to Florida in the SEC title game and got drilled by Utah in the Sugar Bowl.
Saban seized on that ending. He told everybody that Alabama had accomplished nothing. Nothing! He wouldn’t let his players forget the loss to Florida all season. By the time of last year’s SEC title game rematch, Alabama players were ready to run through cinder block. They steamrolled Florida like they were Ball State.
Now comes this: a sports agent reportedly hosted a gathering this summer. Players from Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina have been connected to reports. But Saban’s pyrotechnics have created bigger headlines. Stories of Alabama trying to repeat as national champions have faded. Even Dareus is an afterthought. Brilliant.
Saban kept referring to what agents do as “entrapment.” Really? Was the agent wired or disguised as a plumber?
He said if the NFL doesn’t do something about this, his “hospitality” of opening practices to scouts might stop. That should go over well with his players, who want to play in the NFL.
At one point, Saban, who obliterated the college coaches’ salary ceiling when he signed with Alabama in 2007, said with almost a sigh: “I think most everything gets a little bit about money somewhere along the way.”
Yes, Nick. A crushing realization.
♦
Previous SEC/Georgia posts
♦ SEC media days: Hey, who let the BCS in here?
♦ We’re LIVE at SEC media days (with no shortage of storylines)
♦ NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement)
♦ Can Dogs end Alabama-Florida monopoly in SEC title game?
♦ Listen up, Ole Miss: I’ve got Colonel Reb’s replacement
♦
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85 comments Add your comment
Hawk n the Ham
July 21st, 2010
6:10 pm
Schultzie in ‘The Ham’! Welcome.
@DanWeiner
July 21st, 2010
6:16 pm
Boom. Roasted.
Saban is such a jackass.
RollBravesRoll
July 21st, 2010
6:23 pm
You are the world’s biggest idiot Schultz. You know nothing about baseball & now you prove you know nothing about football. Blast Saban all you want, but when something FINALLY gets done about this, you’ll all have the world’s most powerful coach to thank for it. Notice how many NFL scouts are shaking at the thought of the most NFL friendly program in the country shutting it’s doors to them.
GeoffDawg
July 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
It’d be entrapment if the NCAA sent agents undercover to bribe players. This is more akin to getting busted buying meth out of somebody’s trailer and then saying that the drug dealer “entrapped” you.
dobearsbare
July 21st, 2010
6:35 pm
Yeah, I loved the money quote …
I’d love for Gene Chizik to get up there and respond to the first query about agents with this: “It really pains us on the Plains that there’s such a crimson stain on college football. Next question.”
JacketFanMarcus
July 21st, 2010
6:39 pm
Man, Saban is worried is program is going to get in ‘hot water’. This is pure CYA. Done like a true politician, not a top football coach.
We didn’t hear a peep out him when Florida and USC was brought up.
Saban doesn’t like talking to the media. Now he’s on FULL blast! What a shallow, showman…
Sports Review
July 21st, 2010
6:40 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
SEC Media Days 2010: Live Stream and Transcript – Only Kent (blog) | The Simple Approach
July 21st, 2010
6:42 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
destin dawg
July 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
Nick Saban is a super coach…. too intense for me on a daily basis… Agents can be pimps.. keep them away from student/athletes until they graduate.. too much $$$$ in sports.. give Mark Richt credit for getting players in NFL.. and not for example (unlike Urban Meyer) trying to talk Moreno or Stafford out of going Pro with all the $$$$$ on the line.. GO DAWGS !!
greg norton facts
July 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
saban has spoken. nobody will question him. rooooaaar!!!
killerj
July 21st, 2010
6:50 pm
Same old,same old,so what,s new in the Sec?
2010 SEC Media Days: Saban takes on agents – GatorCountry.com | NFL Football
July 21st, 2010
6:50 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Georgia joins the wrong party: NCAA seeks inquiry | Jeff Schultz
July 21st, 2010
6:56 pm
[...] Agents and their pursuit of college players dominated the first day of SEC media days. Alabama coach Nick Saban referred to agents as pimps. [...]
Delbert D.
July 21st, 2010
6:58 pm
Okay, here are some ideas.
1) Sue the illegal recipient of money for fraud. It’s the only thing I can think of, since state or federal laws may not have been broken.
2) In additional to all other existing NCAA sanctions, require the school found guilty/with knowledge of Reggie Bush-type infractions to forfeit a certain number of games in the current or upcoming season at the time of the decision. The opposing schools(s) selected for forfeited games must be reimbursed for projected lost revenues in stadium receipts and TV revenues. The forfeits must officially be recorded as wins for the opposing team(s).
3) The affected university must have the ability to seek redress in civil court against members of their organization and against 3rd parties, including sports agents, with the full support of the NCAA.
That would be a good start.
J Dog
July 21st, 2010
7:02 pm
Here’s what Saban doesn’t want anybody to notice:
Saban needs to figure out how to finish in the top 10 consecutively more than 1 time in his career. He doesn’t even have a decent winning %, 700. He’s an ok coach, a “timing” coach, he times it to have a big year every 9 or 10 years. Saban’s record the rest of the years is pathetic, he wins 7 games or less, 50% of his coaching seasons.
Nick Saban, the human yo yo, aka “Mr. See Saw”, the most inconsistent coach in America.
TampaGator
July 21st, 2010
7:03 pm
Please just kick the damn football off and then shoot all the professional sports agents in the head (and put Lane Kiffin in the middle of them all and shoot him last)!
TampaGator
July 21st, 2010
7:04 pm
Just kidding about that one part….which was kicking the football off. It is too early for that.
1eyedJack
July 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
Hang ‘em!! There all lawyers anyway.
Michael
July 21st, 2010
7:08 pm
Didn’t Alabama pass some laws regarding agents after Auburn got put on probation?
J Dog
July 21st, 2010
7:12 pm
Good job Jeff staying objective, and not getting caught up into “Sabanpaloosa”.
Saban’s a sidetracker. If he’s getting too much attention in an area he doesn’t want, he likes to create a massive diversion. But, instead, we’ll just turn up the SPOTLIGHT on SABAN’S feeble inconsistency.
Saban doesn’t want people asking about his defense. 9 players gone. Or especially his secondary. He’d rather talk about his offense.
Or his lack of offensive wizardry, as Mullen torched Saban on that with the “how’s he done with getting his QB’s drafted in the 1st round of the NFL?”. He’d rather talk about his new statue.
Saban doesn’t want anyone remembering his top 10 list, as one of the most disliked guys in all of sports, according to Forbes.
He sure doesn’t want to talk about his lack of loyalty to his players and universities.
Saban doesn’t want people thinking about the 50% of his seasons when he couldn’t even win 8 games. He’s rather focus on his 2 good years.
He doesn’t want people thinking about the fact he’s only finished consecutively in the top 10, 1x in his career.
Nick Saban “Mr. See Saw”
DP
July 21st, 2010
7:12 pm
Really hitting the low hanging fruit there Jeff. This one is right up there with mocking Kawakami when he was 0-7. Seriously, you’re a lot better than this.
DP
July 21st, 2010
7:24 pm
With regard as to why Saban would speak out so forcefully on this issue and not on issues at USC or Florida, I’d guess (a) he had no more knowledge of the facts at USC or Florida than anybody else and unlike AJC columnists who are paid to post 3 or 4 inflammatory internet blogs a day he wasn’t compelled to comment when he didn’t know what he was talking about and (b) he’s responsible for Alabama’s program, not USC’s or Florida’s.
Gumby
July 21st, 2010
7:41 pm
Ditto DP.
Jeff this was nothing more than a rant on Saban.
Stain
July 21st, 2010
7:50 pm
You can criticize Saban all you want, but the bottom line is these “agents” can ruin someone’s football career and get their school NCAA sanctions. I don’t think any true college football fan would want their program hit with infractions or see someone’s NFL career jeopardized.
SecGuy
July 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
Actually Alabama and Saban had agent issues with Andre Smith two years ago and didn’t react as strongly. But no need to give all the facts when you have another chance to take a shot at Saban.
DP
July 21st, 2010
8:12 pm
Jeff, Nick Saban was defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns at the time Antonio Langham took money from an agent. You probably had hair back then. I doubt that a lot of people were asking Saban for comments at the time or that you even knew who he was.
This piece is about as fair as the hit job on the woman in the Agriculture Department. You should be proud to be in such company.
zombiewoof
July 21st, 2010
8:24 pm
Haha, good stuff. This makes for a good laugh.
I’m curious though, Jeff, did you take the opportunity today to ask him (to his face) when he became so concerned with agents (pimps)?
Didn’t think so.
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Marcel Dareus
July 21st, 2010
8:41 pm
The real reason Saban can separate a program from the pack is because he buys players. It’s probably the worst kept secret in the SEC. The idea that he’s speaking about “honesty and integrity” in college football is just absolutely absurd. But then, that’s the mentality of crooks: after they get away with it a few times they start to think they’re invincible.
With a Player Under Investigation, Saban Criticizes Agents
July 21st, 2010
9:40 pm
[...] It's no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) – Jul 21st – 18:35 [...]
Eddie
July 21st, 2010
10:59 pm
Jeff you continue to prove why you are a complete idiot! Your going to blame Saban…..are you kidding me! The players receive constant infrormation and training on agents and they know the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Unless you have a hundred babysittters then the players are going to have opportunities to make selfish decisions. Don’t worry about UGA
Schultz….unless A.J. Green attended the party, the DAWGS don’t have anyone worth an agents attention.
Eddie
July 21st, 2010
11:02 pm
Hey J Dog……How many National Championships has Richt won? That’s what I thought…..none!
Eddie
July 21st, 2010
11:18 pm
Hey DP…..Fyi Schultz is not a whole lot better than that…..his anti-BAMA bias has always been prevelent. Let me guess…this year he will predict San Jose State in an upset over Bama in the season opener. Last year he was only forced to pick the Tide most every week, because he didn’t want his record to look soooo bad. Schultz is a Bama hater from way back.
BAMAToNE
July 21st, 2010
11:24 pm
Nice job ranting on Saban (again) instead of debating the merits of what he suggested be done to solve the problem. Which, btw, is more than you’ve done.
And why wouldn’t he be more interested in the agent situation now that is has come and bitten us (potentially) twice? I mean, duh. I have things I want to accomplish, and like everyone else, I rank them in order of importance. When something burns me more than once, it gets moved up the list. A crushing realization, I know.
BAMAToNE
July 21st, 2010
11:26 pm
And oh, look. Georgia’s caught up in this too. I wonder if Richt will suddenly have a “come to Jesus” moment on agents, as well. I mean gosh, he sure didn’t care before, either.
Bob
July 22nd, 2010
12:11 am
Jeff I hate bama and saban as much as everyone not wearing a stupid hat or making creative uses of tide and a TP roll but hes right here, the coaches are not watching players 24/7 and most will say that its not a big deal or they will have someone else drive them down there and pay that person the money just to get a feel for the player.
Agents are sleeze, and pimp is too nice a word for them
Football: Gators, Tide prepared for Tigers as season approaches – LSU The Reveille — Baton Rouge Real Estate
July 22nd, 2010
1:33 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Stringzs
July 22nd, 2010
1:36 am
Jeff..a very well written and well thought out article with the usual dose of sarcasm. Thanks for bringing to the fore the reality behind the “business” and motivations of the people involved.
Jim
July 22nd, 2010
1:46 am
Mr. Schultz, you must feel a great deal of relief having passed this bit of flatulence as a newsworthy story! “Entrapment” may not be the right word regarding the actions of unscrupulous agents. A better word, perhaps, would be “enticement”. Enticement is the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire. These agents are lacking in principles and/or moral scruples when they lure young people into situations that can be detrimental to both the young person and to the University he represents. This seduction to break the law (NCAA rules) must be dealt with in a forceful manner!
Your attempt to ridicule coach Saban for his efforts to address this major problem is contemptible. Your readers will benefit from a lot less of your venomous diatribe, and bit more support and positive input in dealing with these situations.
Randy
July 22nd, 2010
4:54 am
Schultz your a joke. Wonder if you would be saying this if he went to Georgia and brought them a National Championship? Your going to have to get use to Alabama being on top, and Georgia being irrelevant. Nothing is going to change until Richt is out. Until then, watch in envy as Bama continues to beat down the SEC.
Drainage
July 22nd, 2010
5:58 am
Saban = sociopath, the problem, is bammer fans love him for that, just like Bryant.
bamafan
July 22nd, 2010
7:28 am
Jeff – must be a slow day at the office. I guess you are not smart enough to understand that Coach Saban’s reaction is normal. For example, I am opposed to carjacking but I am likely to increase my opposition and raise my voice when someone close to me gets carjacked. Why should this be any different? You and many others seem to resent Coach Saban’s success…….well I guess you have to write something……….you would do better to write an advice column for the lovelorn.
Bill
July 22nd, 2010
7:48 am
WOW! Jeff you went out on limb critizing Saban in Georgia. You must feel like a man. Why dont you grow some balls and critize UGA? You really are a loser with a loser paper. Please go read Finebaum he has more guts than you’ll ever have.
Bill
July 22nd, 2010
7:55 am
Actually I should make the one exception is that I like Barnhart. He really knows college football and is pretty fair in his assessments. Although is a homer he’s not afraid to rattle the cages of the local fan base.
Chi Town eating at Crumpy Burgers
July 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
Saban is the man. When he talks everyone listens.
SEC media days: Catching a breath and waiting on Richt | Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
8:27 am
[...] ♦ Alabama coach Nick Saban was a walking soundbite Wednesday on AgentGate. He likened agents to “pimps,” and I’m not sure if he was including his own agent, given his past dealings from LSU to Miami (NFL) to Alabama. At one point, he also said, “Maybe we need to not be so self-absorbed,” when it comes to this issue. As several readers responded: Pot, meet kettle. Here’s the link to my column on Saban. [...]
fishtales
July 22nd, 2010
8:37 am
We’ll see how smug ole Shultzie is when A.J. Green is declared ineligible.
Ramma Bamma
July 22nd, 2010
8:38 am
This will all blow over—no big deal. Mark this down—Bama’s getting title #14 in 2010 baby!! Bama blows out florida again for the SEC and beats Ohio State by 10 for the national title. Hard to be humble when you’re a bama fan.
Randy
July 22nd, 2010
8:49 am
Hey Shultz, what, did Saban not want to talk to you, is THAT why you took your worthless and cheap shot? Or is it just Saban envy, like the rest of bulldog nation, wishing you had a coach who could take top 10 recruiting talent and actually WIN with it???????? You should shut your stupid pie hole and notice the response most in this country is giving to Saban’s “rant”; they realize he is right, and are looking for ways to deal with this problem. And for the record you inbred toomerite and dumb dog fans, Saban is a LOT less worried about how Bama will do this season than you clowns should be about how Mark “dumb em down” Richt, or Cheeznip will do this year. UGA last won a NC how many years ago?? 30????? And Tractor Tech?? 1957!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Over 50 years ago!!!!!! Shultz, you cant write worth a crap–but at least take shots at programs who have been, like your writing skills, a failure……………leave the only coach in the last 40+ years who has won a NC with 2 teams alone, you smuck.
Tide Roll in 2010
July 22nd, 2010
9:01 am
All these Bama haters coming out of the woodwork—jealousy and anger drives people to say crazy things. Who cares—Bama wins the title again this year. No team can match Saban’s talent and coaching.
Randy
July 22nd, 2010
9:02 am
Hey J Dog……….wow, what an idiot…………were you born that way, or did it happen to you after attending classes at UGA? Bama opened a CAN on your pups last time they played– bet you wont be having a “black out” anytime soon on national TV, will you dog??????? LOLOLOLOL. And we got a National Championship…………….you got your annual beat down by Florida….and YET ANOTHER off season of half your team busted for drunk driving. As for your list of stats………….well, Bama’s won 2 National Championships since your last one…….and we will win at least 1-2 more before you even PLAY in a NC game…………….something Richt, with so many top 10 recruiting classes, just cant seem to do. Saban? You and the doggies are not in his league…………….so shut your pie hole before you make yourself look a bigger inbred moron than you must be——bubba fool. Alabama Crimson Tide, 2009 National Champions. Deal with it, dog.
dap01
July 22nd, 2010
9:47 am
Great article Jeff. It made me smile. Saban and Meyer are strange, self absorbed coaches (but successful).
I wonder if Saban has family days on Thursdays like Florida (even though CUM does not participate)?
Saban is a great coach but he has slime ooozing out around the edges.
Lane Kiffin
July 22nd, 2010
9:54 am
Nick Saban is pond scum.
St. Richt
July 22nd, 2010
10:08 am
Pat Forde of ESPN has a great article on this agent fiasco. And rightfully calls out Saban and the other coaches for trying to pin the blame solely on the agents involved. The players seem to be getting a free pass from the powers that be in the SEC and the coaches. All of which make it sound like it should be expected that the players will take money and gifts if they’re offered. As if they don’t know better… Give me a break- all of these guys know the rules and should pay the consequences. Stop crying and blaming this all on the agents.
do-dah do-dah
July 22nd, 2010
10:54 am
J Dog Let’s see he won 2 NC’s and what have your dawgs won lately???? Don’t forget to wear your red panties on your head to your home games
Real Dawg
July 22nd, 2010
11:01 am
Saban’s just waiting for a big NFL offer—when this agent thing blows up, he’ll be off to the nfl like pete carroll—leaving alabama on probation again—bank on it.
GT Alum
July 22nd, 2010
11:45 am
Maybe you’re right, Jeff. But just because Saban is being self-serving doesn’t necessarily means that he’s totally wrong. I wonder if this might fall in the same category as Canseco doing everything in his power to expose the use of steroids in baseball – doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
MikeP
July 22nd, 2010
11:49 am
QUOTE ”
By Michael: “Didn’t Alabama pass some laws regarding agents after Auburn got put on probation?”
No, the state of Alabama passed some laws after the Tuskaloser school’s Antonio Langham took money from an agent in 1992. UAT had to forfeit a bunch of games because they hid this from the NCAA until the following season was over.
The forfeits burned up the bamzos in the state legislature so they passed the agent laws.
GT Alum
July 22nd, 2010
11:53 am
St. Richt, if you think the players are being given a free pass, you’re mistaken.
From Barnhardt’s blog:
“I believe that athletes should be held accountable because they know what the rules are,” Saban said. “But the agents who do this have to be accountable as well. And it’s time that we got some help from the NFL to hold them accountable.”
It’s the agents who have been getting a free pass. Student-athletes who have been caught and their schools have being paying for it for years. Doesn’t seem like anyone’s advocating that that part of it changes. The argument is if it’s wrong for the players to accept, then why isn’t it wrong for the agents to offer?
OldPlayer
July 22nd, 2010
12:25 pm
Schultz, you’re a moron. Why would any coach comment about the events at other schools (USC, UNC, UF, USCe)? The time to comment is a) when it impacts you; or b) you are asked directly to comment because you are closely related to those being impacted. His comments were directed toward those agents impacting the lives of college athletes, not agents that work with coaches, entertainers or others that don’t deal with an eligibility issue.
Regardless of what team you root for, the bad agent issue can impact your team. When you write in the future, write from a neutral point of view, not your own bias.
bryant
July 22nd, 2010
1:02 pm
J Dog What a bitter person you are. Still have not gotten over ” THE BLACKOUT BEATDOWN” Tell me what game was the blackout last year. Its been cancelled forever. Saban never has two good years in a row geez we have not lost a regular season game in the last two years. Do not hate the player hate the game!
do-dah do-dah
July 22nd, 2010
1:11 pm
Real Dawg I will bank on you being an idiot!!! How’s that???
College sports becoming a joke.
July 22nd, 2010
1:19 pm
How are the actions of these agents any different than the actions of LeBron James with UK/CaliPayme’s fab-5 first round NBA picks. Is LeBron just that much smarter and squeaky clean than these pimps? This investigation needs to spread to ALL sports teams in ALL conferences if College Sports is to retain any amount of integrity, and remain worth watching. Championships will be about luck because the talented players will clearly have their eyes on the Prize$$ come tournament time, and they certainly will have no intentions to return for another season. When you lose the loyalty of the players, the coach position will become a revolving door and the fans will find something else to spend their money on. Come on NCAA, wake up.
Bama92
July 22nd, 2010
1:50 pm
Wow this passes for journalism these days? An AJC reporter blasting a successful Alabama coach how novel, and even more unique an AJC reporter basically slandering Nick Saban. I do not know why I am still shocked by any type of “journalist” who hates success. I also for some reason am still shocked to see how writers today can not publish anything but hit pieces with everything taken out of context.
Bottom line is that agents are taking advantage of kids who have dreams of making tons of money. They exploit them and cost them more than just money and high draft positions.
I imagine coach Saban became so enraged this time because of what happened to Andre Smith. He said similar things when it happened and nothing has changed. There are only consequences for the student athlete, the head coach, and the school. Nothing happens to the agent.
You complain about Saban not saying anything about Reggie Bush and USC? How was that his place? If anybody thinks Alabama and every other NCAA school in the country are not learning from USC’s mistake you are crazy, but I ask again how was it Saban’s responsibility to speak out about it?
And, you had to go there. You had to bring up his salary. There is a just a slight difference between a head-coach and an amateur athlete playing in the NCAA. Are you really this clueless or better yet how did your editor allow you to publish such incoherent article?
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
July 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
You’ve got to love the Bammers coming to the aid of a guy that they will all to soon talk down like Lane Kiffen after he leaves them when they go on probation. Its coming and he knows it.
If they were TCU or some other decent mid level team, they would already have received the death penalty but Bama’s “tradition” saves them….which is ironic because their “tradition” built by the Bear is the CORNERSTONE for corruption in the ranks of college football. Yes, hearing Saban complain about agents is like watching a preacher coming out of a Massage Parlor going into a rant about whores and pimps…wait a second he actually just did that. Nick, when I catch my kid trying to swipe a cookie, I don’t actually know he did it until he opens his mouth and convicts himself. Nick, you just got caught with your hand in the cookie jar….and you stupidly got up in front of everybody and tried to say how bad those cookies were and you really didn’t want one anyway. What a scumbag.
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July 22nd, 2010
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Mr. Thomas Anthony "The Taxman Cometh Again" Jones, SR
July 22nd, 2010
7:49 pm
The hypocrisy of these people is unbelivable. The problem in the NCAA is that players are not paid. Pay the players. The crooks take players from poor families and do not pay them. It is Slavery! It is wrong and everybody knows. The trouble the schools like a unpaid group of athletes they can use, abuse, expliot and then discard and dismiss. The players need a union badly. Until they get a union they will continue to be explioted by rich suckers who are crooked and shady.
When Sylvester crooms was Head Coach he ran a clean program as the only African-American Head Coach in the lily-white SEC and he was fired after he led the MSU Bulldogs to a eight win season and a Bowl Victory in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. And he was fired by the dogs the nest season. Can anyone explain why he was fired?
Tell the truth and shame the devil. Hewon eight games in the SEC and he won a Bowl game and he ran a clean program. Yet the racists fired him. This is terrible.
The players better look out for themselves as the coachs and the schools only care about money! And the media refuses to tell the kids and their parents the truth. I hope that in the future the players unionize and tell the coaches to go to Hades!
NCAA Slave Owners
July 22nd, 2010
8:10 pm
The NCAA treats the football players like plantation slaves—they should pay them at least $1,000 per month plus other benefits for making millions for schools and the corrupt ncaa. The racists in the NCAA want to have all these players make them all this money without compensation—that has to stop.
DAWG07
July 22nd, 2010
8:58 pm
A lot is hanging out there for Saban and Alabama. Wins Wins Wins.
Of course if there was not anything to be concerned about he would not be preaching.
Hammer
July 23rd, 2010
11:11 am
Shultz, you are a dirt-bag! Where were you when sleazy agents try to comprise a system that is designed to improve the athlete, the school and the sport. Are you sleeping with an agent?
Jim
July 23rd, 2010
12:15 pm
To insinuate that the student athlete is not compensated for his play is ridiculous! A full scholarship, including room and board, is worth thousands. In addition, the university provides the athlete a forum to showcase (advertise) his talents for a possible move to the next level. How much is free advertisement worth? Just try running a full page ad in any major newspaper and you’ll understand the value of this free exposure.
The NCAA has set the rules pertaining to “extra benefits”, not the university. The school is then held responsible for enforcement of NCAA policies. The problem is unscrupulous agents who are all too happy to sell out the student athlete and school in order to gain advantage over those agents who conduct their business the right way. The unscrupulous agent, for filthy lucre’s sake, willingly subverts whole institutions by luring young people into breaking rules with little or no fear of being punished for their deeds. Until these agents receive their just due, what’s to stop them?
The student athlete, in my opinion, is fairly compensated with a full scholarship and exposer. The unscrupulous agent rarely has much or anything to lose by his lawlessness. On the other hand, the school has much to lose – just ask USC. The rule needs to be changed or eliminated until it can equally hold all involved parties accountable.
Dooley calmly moving from one fire to next at Tennessee | Jeff Schultz
July 23rd, 2010
3:54 pm
[...] ♦ It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents [...]
TideFanAtlanta
July 25th, 2010
12:42 pm
Jeff, what a dweeb you are. First, Saban earns ever penney he makes because he is a great and knowledgeable coach. You however demostrate even with your title, that you know nothing about Alabama football and even what the SEC has been doing. Saban is not “suddenly” interested in this. The question is not why he deserves $4M a year to coach football, but why the AJC pays you to write about sports. You need to pay attention to what the programs have been doing to try to stop this crappy stuff. The programs themselves can do just so much, but without the help of the NCAA and even NFL the PIMPs will continue to be a blight on the good agents and coaches who give a damn. You Jeff are a pimp and only give a damn about getting paid by trying to cause a controversey where there is none. Write something informative. Write something true.
Ranking the SEC, from Bama to Vandy (and Georgia No. 4) | Jeff Schultz
July 25th, 2010
2:06 pm
[...] 1. ALABAMA: It was funny when Nick Saban lost to Louisiana-Monroe in 2007. There haven’t many opportunities to laugh since. Alabama is 16-0 in the SEC’s regular season in the last two seasons (it only lose to Florida [...]
Peter
July 25th, 2010
3:20 pm
Wow. Outstanding journalism. I bet it’s fun to write this drivel and show up at a bar where everyone tells you what a great writer you are. Honestly, only a drunk person could think this article to be good. You took a snippet of a quote and built a farce around it. I mean you have a right to your opinions but such brazen jealousy should be kept in check. My only hope is that your editor reads the comment section and maybe takes you to task for being a biased idiot. No wonder the AJC is losing readers…
Tom
July 25th, 2010
8:05 pm
J.Dog, keep it up doofus, I love reading the anguish and pain in your posts and knowing that the Blackout Beatdown is tormenting you still. Get used to it, between Coach Saban and Urban Meyer, Mark Richt must be feeling like a punching bag.
The Monday Melange 07.26.10: Alberto Contador, Bill Hancock, Nick Saban « Everyone's Entitled to Joe's Opinion
July 26th, 2010
12:02 am
[...] of his players might lose his eligibility because of an agent. So he got up at SEC media days and unleashed this withering diatribe in which he likened sports agents to “pimps”. Dude, are you calling your agent a “pimp”? What do you have to say about the agent [...]
With Oswalt trade looming, should Braves worry about Philly? | Jeff Schultz
July 26th, 2010
10:35 am
[...] ♦ It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents [...]
heartofdarkness
July 26th, 2010
11:28 am
There are people of questionable ethics surrounding the SEC?! I am Shocked! Shocked!
Whaaaaaaa
July 26th, 2010
12:57 pm
Another jealous Georgia columnist and fan crying about a winning program. If UGA could ever win, then maybe the whining would stop. But then again, that won’t happen for a while.
Reggie Bush Scandal Continues, No Comfort For Online Gamblers – Casino Gambling Web | Tweet Shack
July 28th, 2010
9:27 pm
[...] 345 news articles »reggie bush scandal – NEWS – HEADLINESAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Saban, Meyer shift blame to unscrupulous agentsGamecockCentral.comA program can lose much more; just [...]
SEC Media Days links: Alabama Crimson Tide football | NOLA.com | Crimson Tide 411
July 30th, 2010
3:19 am
[...] It's no coincidence Saban is concerned about agents (Jeff Schultz, ajc.com) [...]
Saban compares unscrupulous agents to a ‘pimp’ – The Associated Press | The Fresno News
August 7th, 2010
1:03 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
If NCAA has any question, Dogs should sit Green to be safe | Jeff Schultz
September 3rd, 2010
9:46 am
[...] Marcell Dareus – who prompted coach Nick Saban to go on his comical “pimp” rant at SEC media days – has been suspended for the Tide’s first two games. He also must pay [...]
Rod Tidwell
September 3rd, 2010
9:59 pm
Yea Nick, I want you to say it like you mean it…I wanna feel it……SHOW ME THE MONEEEEYYYYYYY!
The phone’s ringing and it’s Jerry Jones….Mal Moore ain’t got Jerry money