COLLEGE

ESPN's Chris Fowler, Paul Finebaum criticize Jimbo Fisher's personal attacks of Nick Saban

Erik Hall
The Tuscaloosa News

ESPN college football broadcaster Chris Fowler appeared Thursday as a guest on "The Paul Finebaum Show" with host Paul Finebaum.

Fowler talked extensively about the topic of the day — the back-and-forth between Alabama football head coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher that had transpired in the previous 24 hours. 

Fisher held a press conference Thursday morning where he leveled personal attacks at Saban. Some of the things Fisher said include calling Saban "a narcissist" and saying about Saban that "some people think they're God."

Finebaum asked Fowler, "There was no misunderstanding Jimbo Fisher today. I'm particularly interested in how you view his very personal attack on Nick Saban, his character and really, almost, his entire career."

"Yeah, uncalled for," Fowler said. "He got off course there. I mean Jimbo is right to say that he's not cheating. They're just gaming the system. When you claim to have no knowledge of what a collective is — everyone knows what a collective is. That was the unintended consequence that was always going to happen when you have NIL. ... I understand Jimbo getting upset when it was implied that he cheated, but he did buy the players. He bought them within the framework of the system. And he struck back — Jimbo is a feisty guy." 

Fowler then explained that he's interviewed Fisher several times with most of those occasions coming while he was the Florida State football head coach. Fisher was the FSU football head coach from 2010-17.

"He's a feisty character," Fowler said continuing his response. "Him striking back, it didn't surprise me. He feels on equal terms with Nick. He's one of the few coaches that probably isn't intimidated and feels like he can swing freely at him. And he did. But I don't think he covered himself in glory, to be honest with you." 

Finebaum responded by saying that Fisher "played to his base."

"I don't want to overinterpret what Jimbo Fisher was saying, but he really did cast aspersions toward Nick Saban's integrity," Finebaum said. "We both know plenty of assistants who have had fun poking at Nick Saban's overbearance, but all these things equal greatness. But I felt like in Jimbo's case today, we went way beyond that, Chris." 

"Yeah, we did," Fowler said in response. "I really don't understand it except to say that Jimbo's a feisty character, who gets off track a lot. And whether or not he would take anything back or walk anything back privately — he wouldn't do it publicly — I don't know. But listen, it's not the worst thing in the world to have feuding coaches. It's never been where these guys should be really good friends. They're in each other's way. They are obstacles for each other's goals and potential success. I don't have a problem with it, really. Let them work it out. It's good theater. If he crossed the line and wants to walk it back, OK. If he doesn't, I guess it will be an interesting collision at midfield." 

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher speaks with the media during the school's pro day for NFL football scouts and coaches, Tuesday, March. 22, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)

The Alabama and Texas A&M football teams are scheduled to meet Oct. 8 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

On Thursday, the Southeastern Conference publicly reprimanded Saban and Fisher for their comments. 

Here's more Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher news: 

Fowler has been with ESPN since 1986. Finebaum joined ESPN in 2013.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik