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Several college football programs have fired their head coaches midway through the season, the latest being the Florida Gators parting ways with Billy Napier on Sunday.
Legendary college football coach Nick Saban said he believes the current state of the sport is to blame.
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Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban questions an official’s call during the game against Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023. (Gary Cosby Jr./USA TODAY Sports)
“You know, I’m not (surprised) because everyone is raising money to pay the players,” Saban told ESPN on Tuesday. “So people who donate money think they have a voice and they’re like a group of fans. When they’re frustrated and disappointed, they pressure (athletic directors) to do something, and that’s the way the world goes.”
Napier and Penn State’s James Franklin are among the biggest names to be sidelined during the season. Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Deshaun Foster (UCLA), Brent Pry (Virginia Tech) and Trent Bray (Oregon State) were also released by their respective schools.
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Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Saban said Saturday that he thought Franklin’s firing was “unfair,” given the success Franklin had at Penn State.
Saban told ESPN that college football still needs to find a way to “improve the quality of life for players” while still developing them and giving them a proper education.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on before the SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2023. (John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports)
Other coaches are expected to be on the move next offseason.
