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Nick Saban has lost many games as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
But when he does, he knows one thing: each loss is an opportunity to get better.
Apparently, that includes Monday’s 27-20 loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Because within minutes of the loss to the Wolverines, Alabama’s NIL collective, “Yea Alabama”, sent out a tweet soliciting donations.
Now is not the time to rest. We need your support to build the best NIL program in the country. To do that, we need your support. Join right now. pic.twitter.com/AtzLbYRz83
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) January 2, 2024
“In this disappointment, we need to take action,” Aaron Suttles, the collective’s director of content, said in a video. “We need you to build Alabama’s NIL entity into the biggest in the country. Yea Alabama needs your support.”
“Take that bitter disappointment you have and let’s move into using it for good for NIL,” Suttles said.
Alabama, of course, is believed to have one of the largest NIL arms in the nation. Larger than that of Michigan and significantly so than that of fellow College Football Playoff finalist Washington.
“We need to keep this trail rolling and keep this thing moving forward,” Suttles continued in the video. “The way we do that – the way the fans have the most involvement – is supporting NIL.”
It’s also not like the Tide is exactly shy on talent.
In fact, Alabama entered 2023 with the most talented roster in the country according to 247Sports’ rankings.
Michigan ranks all the way down in 14th, which in third-best in the Big Ten. While you have to look all the way to No. 26 to find the Huskies.
So, would more NIL money help the Tide? Sure. It certainly can’t hurt.
But it doesn’t appear to be the reason it couldn’t beat the Wolverines on Monday night.
And it’s hard to imagine fans appreciated someone reaching into their pockets shortly after such a brutal life.
But hey, that’s college football in the year 2024.