Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M were absolutely livid a couple of months back when Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban slammed the Aggies' program, insinuating they bought every player on their team after signing numerous top recruits.
Well, it appears Texas A&M immediately tried to get Saban reprimanded for his comments. Via On3 Sports, Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks and Director of Athletics Ross Bjork told SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey to consider fining and even suspending Saban.
Here is what the email said, as obtained by On3 Sports:
“We write to express Texas A&M University’s disappointment and outrage at the recent statements made by Alabama University [sic] Head Football Coach Nick Saban that ‘A&M bought every player on their team-made a deal for Name, Image, Likeness,’” Bjork and Banks’ email to Sankey stated.
“Coach Saban’s statement is false, beneath the dignity of the SEC, and corrosive to the fabric of sportsmanship in college football as a whole and especially within the SEC. We expect the league to take strong, public action against Coach Saban and the University of Alabama to demonstrate that such unprofessionalism and disrespect for Texas A&M’s student-athletes, coaches, and the university as a whole, will not be tolerated. A public apology from Coach Saban to Coach Fisher, Aggie Football, and Texas A&M University is a good starting point, but the league should also consider monetary and participation penalties against Coach Saban.
Wow. The Aggies went all-in to try and get Saban punished. Ultimately it didn't work but it's also important to note Fisher actually spoke with Sankey that morning the email was sent, just before his press conference where he absolutely eviscerated Saban, a former good friend.
Texas A&M and Bama meet on October 8th. That's going to be interesting.