Colorado coach Deion Sanders expressed his astonishment at Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement, aligning with the general public’s surprise.
Sanders suggested that the state of college football may have been a significant factor influencing Saban’s decision. He urged the college football community to introspect and consider whether the evolving landscape of the game had a role in “chasing away the GOAT.”
“WOW! College Football just lost the GOAT to retirement. WOW! I knew it would happen 1 day soon but not this soon. The game has change so much that it chased the GOAT away. College football let’s hold up our mirrors and say HONESTLY what u see.”
It’s important to note that this speculation arises as Saban has been openly critical of recent changes within the sport.
He has voiced concerns about the unregulated aspects of name, image, and likeness, as well as the growing ease of player transfers. Curiously, Deion Sanders himself has capitalized on some of these changes, yet even he acknowledges certain grievances regarding the extent to which these transformations have taken place.
Nick Saban, at 72 years old, may have other personal reasons contributing to his unexpected retirement from Alabama. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be surprising if the evolving dynamics of college football played a part in accelerating his decision.
Want the latest NFL and NCAA Football analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.