Penn State’s James Franklin advocates for Nick Saban as college football’s next commissioner.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Penn State’s head coach James Franklin has expressed his belief that college football is in need of a dedicated commissioner, proposing none other than former Alabama coach Nick Saban as a suitable candidate. He confidently stated, “I think he’s the obvious choice, right?”

Franklin made these remarks during a media event for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Sunday, where his team is set to face off against No. 3 seed Boise State. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are gearing up for their match on Tuesday. Franklin’s comments came in the wake of discussing the recent transfer of backup quarterback Beau Pribula to Missouri, which left Penn State searching for viable replacements just weeks ahead of the playoff.

The transfer of Pribula underscores some of the challenges brought on by the new landscape in college football, particularly concerning the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and the transfer portal. This environment often compels athletes to make difficult decisions at inconvenient moments, stirring up a sense of frustration among coaches and fans alike.

Franklin highlighted the absence of a dedicated leader for college football, noting that, as a result, conference commissioners are left to manage issues independently. This decentralization has led to conflicts between different leagues, each with its own unique priorities and perspectives.

“I think one of the most important things that we can do is let’s get a commissioner of college football that is waking up every single morning and going to bed every single night, making decisions that are in the best interest of college football,” Franklin emphasized.

Nick Saban, who is recognized as one of the most successful coaches in college football history, retired after the last season. With an impressive record of seven national championships—six with Alabama and one with LSU—Saban currently serves as an analyst for ESPN’s “College GameDay.” His potential role as a commissioner is seen positively by Franklin as a transformative step for the future of the sport.