Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and even has a candidate in mind. That’s former Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“I think he’s the obvious choice, right?” Franklin said.
Franklin, who joked that Saban would not be pleased with his comments, made the suggestion during Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl on Sunday. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing to play Tuesday against third-seeded Boise State.
The veteran coach responded to questions about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri just weeks before the CFP season, leaving the Nittany Lions exploring their options. Pribula’s decision highlights some of the frustrating aspects of the new world of college football and the transfer portal in the name, image and likeness era, forcing players to make difficult decisions at inopportune moments.
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Without a leader focused solely on college football, Franklin said conference committee members have had to take care of the duties themselves. This led to a debate between the leagues as each conference had different interests.
“I think one of the most important things we can do is get a college football commissioner who wakes up every morning, goes to bed every night and makes decisions that are in the best interest of college football,” Franklin said.
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Saban, 73, retired after last season as the most successful college football coach of all time. He won seven national titles, including six at Alabama and one at LSU.
The Associated Press reported.
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