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The possibility of college football completely separating from the NCAA has been debated and commented upon in an era of names, images and likenesses and conference realignment.
If he gets there, Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin knows who he wants to serve as commander: Nick Saban.
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Penn State head coach James Franklin talks with officials during the second half against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff Saturday, Dec. 1, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Rieger)
“I think one of the most important things we can do is find a college football commissioner who wakes up every morning and goes to bed every night to make decisions in the best interests of college football,” Franklin said Sunday. Before the Fiesta Bowl Via ESPN–
“I think Nick Saban would be the obvious choice if we made a decision. Now Nick might call me tonight and say, ‘Don’t do this,’ but I think he was the obvious choice, right?”
Franklin said having a commissioner would be the first and important step in starting to address some of the issues that coaches and athletic directors have been addressing over the past five years.
He also floated the nixing conference title game and shortened the season to focus on the academic calendar.
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Feb. 17 Oct. 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Former Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban looks on during a basketball game between Alabama and the Texas A&M Aggies at Coleman Coliseum. (Gary Cosby Jr.-USA Today Sports)
“God forbid talking about academics, right?” he added. “That used to be every conversation that started with academics and less and less. Maybe I’m old school and maybe I’m a traditionalist. But I still believe in this model. Instead of saying this is a problem, I thought I’d offer a few suggestions. But I think one of the most important things we can do is let’s get a college football commissioner.”
College football coaches are especially concerned with the transfer portal and the opening of the window during bowl season.
“I feel terrible for the kids. Ours and kids across the country,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said Tuesday. Via ESPN– “No other sport has freedom this season. It’s sad. It’s terrible. You hear stories about their backup quarterbacks saying, ‘I don’t have a choice’ – that’s wrong. That’s unacceptable.
“Really simple stuff. Well, you don’t have a transfer portal in December. That’s a really simple answer. And it will solve all problems. Why in the world do we give our children They are in a position where they have to decide ‘Do I transfer or play in the semi-finals? Am I going to transfer or play in my bowl game?…’ People attack our roster and try to pick people off our roster. Yep, it’s that simple – there’s no transfer portal in December. Go to the spring.”
Penn State defensive end Dominic DeLuca celebrates his touchdown interception with head coach James Franklin against SMU during the first half in the first round of the NCAA College Football Tournament. Playoff on Saturday, December 1, September 21, 2024 at State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Rieger)
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For now, college football remains under the NCAA.
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