The average person will tell you that they think the NCAA is a dirty organization in many ways. Most people are not naive enough to think that Cam Newton is the only player in college football who has been paid or offered a massive amount of money to attend a certain school. Like almost every other high-profile coach, Nick Saban has been accused of committing recruiting violations in the past but has managed to keep his resume clean. Sports agent Ralph Cindrich seems to believe Saban is as dirty as they come.
Cindrich discussed the sanctions handed down to Penn State by the NCAA during a recent interview with Larry Richert and John Shumway of KDKA in Pittsburgh. He called NCAA president Mark Emmert a “bozo” but seemed adamant about attacking Saban. When asked who is monitoring the NCAA as an organization, Cindrich basically said Saban has them in his back pocket.
“No one’s watching them,” he said according to Don Kausler Jr. of Al.com. “You want to know who’s watching them? Nick Saban. You want to trust Nick Saban? I have enough on Saban right now – and I realize this stuff gets out, and I also realize the truth is a defense. I know what goes on in college football, so cut me a break. … Everybody has something on Nick Saban, for God’s sake. And if he has a problem with anything I say, come on after me, big guy.”
Cindrich went on to say that anyone who thinks thousands of dollars aren’t being given to college players every Saturday is “naive.” When asked why the NCAA has never done anything about it, he said it’s because Saban doesn’t want to lose his $7 million salary — only $5 million of which “we know about.” In other words, it’s all a complicated scheme that Saban is in on.
“Oh, come on,” Cindrich said when asked if Alabama players are being paid. “The statute of limitations has probably run as far as any criminality was involved to what I was relating to Saban, but I was involved in it. I know what he tried to do. I know what he tried to cover up. If he wants to stand up and say something, I’ll bring that up. If it’s out of time, I’ll go to the nearest agent I know, and I’ll bring up about a dozen things that are in time, because that’s the way he and most of the big-time schools, particularly in the SEC, operate.”
While not surprising, these are some pretty significant accusations. We all know how ugly the Cam Newton situation got. Don’t expect Saban to dignify them with any type of response.
