Everyone loves a good rivalry in college sports. But it is not often you see a budding rivalry and borderline contempt become public between college football coaches. But that's what appears to be the case. Following Texas A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher's scathing retort to Alabama's Nick Saban, the SEC released an official statement.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey called out both coaches in his statement, noted by SEC Sports.
“The membership of the Southeastern Conference has established expectations for conduct and sportsmanship that were not met last night nor today,” said Sankey. “Public criticism of any kind does not resolve issues and creates a distraction from seeking solutions for the issues facing college athletics today. There is tremendous frustration concerning the absence of consistent rules from state to state related to name, image and likeness. We need to work together to find solutions and that will be our focus at the upcoming SEC Spring Meetings…
As a result of public comments made by Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, a public reprimand is issued for comments made in violation of SEC Bylaw 10.5.2 related to Ethical Conduct for public criticism of another member institution's staff.
Those bylaws essentially state coaches and other personnel should avoid making derogatory statements regarding another institution's athletic program.
Saban opened the can of worms Wednesday by stating that he believed Texas A&M was using “clown acts” of using the NIL deals to poach transfers. Fisher responded Thursday morning, ripping Saban apart claiming “some people think they are God” and warned reporters that look into his past might not like what they find.
Saturday, October 8th, Alabama hosts Texas A&M. That's sure to be fun to watch.