Alabama head coach Nick Saban has been a rather vocal supporter of the defensive substitution rule change proposed by the NCAA. In fact, one could argue that Saban, along with some other coaching brethren, most notably Arkansas’ Bret Bielema, is most closely associated with the advocacy of this rule change, which would not coincidentally benefit his program. However, Saban now appears to be changing his tune.

Saban has recently suggested that coaches should have nothing to do with the process of determining whether or not this proposed change actually happens, be it through conception or implementation. Here is Saban elaborating further:

“I don’t think coaches should be making this decision. I don’t think I should make it, I don’t think any coaches should make it. I think somebody outside all of us should decide what is in the best interest of the game, whether it’s player safety, game administration, whatever it might be.”

This statement is absolutely riddled with inconsistencies. All of the evidence suggests Saban considers himself an integral part of the process, and his feverish politicking would indicate a desire to sway public opinion and influence the rules committee in some fashion.

Just last month, Saban addressed the NCAA rules committee directly at a meeting in Indianapolis. NCAA coordinator of officials Rogers Redding commented on the situation. “Coach Saban asked for the opportunity to meet with the committee and talk about this,” Redding said. “It’s not routine, but it’s not unique, either.”

Saban spoke publicly about defensive substitutions before the beginning of the 2013 season at SEC Media Days, laying the foundation for his player safety argument:

“At some point in time, we should look at how fast we allow the game to go in terms of player safety. The team gets in the same formation group, you can’t substitute defensive players, you go on a 14-, 16-, 18-play drive and they’re snapping the ball as fast as you can go and you look out there and all your players are walking around and can’t even get lined up.”

Based on his numerous comments regarding the pace and integrity of the game in relation to no-huddle offenses, Saban has naturally been linked to the proposed rule change. Many in the media and collegiate coaching community have openly referred to the proposal as ‘The Saban Rule’, including South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, who chuckled when using this provocative shorthand. “So, you want to talk about the ‘Saban Rule’?” Spurrier asked on Thursday. “That’s what I call it. (It) looks like it’s dead now, hopefully.”

It may very well be, especially if the sentiment of coaches is taken into consideration. A recent ESPN poll of FBS coaches indicated that less than 20 percent are actually in favor of the proposal. The poll was conducted in a confidential manner, asking participating coaches how they would vote for the measure. Perhaps findings such as this, along with the substantial public opposition from many coaches on the proposal as well as his irreversible linkage to the rule change, have caused Saban to backpedal. Here is Nick seemingly contradicting himself in the same statement:

“I really don’t necessarily have an opinion on the 10-second rule. I think there are three issues that need to be researched relative to pace of play, the first being player safety. When you look at plays that are run, and a team averages 88 plays, and we average 65 at Alabama, that’s 20-something plays more a game over a 12-game season, that adds up to four more games a year that guys have to play. I think it’s wear and tear and tougher to prepare players when you have to play against a hurry-up offense because of the way you have to practice.” “The second thing is, can officials officiate the game? They’re not in position when the ball is snapped, just like defensive players aren’t in position when the ball is snapped, so that’s a game administration issue that people should probably look into.” “And the third thing, to me, and the last thing, which is not the most important, I think the first is most important, is there any competitive imbalance created by the pace of play.”

As you can see, Saban claims he doesn’t have an opinion on the subject, then proceeds to provide detailed thoughts that can only be interpreted as a definitive stance on the proposal, which would penalize the offense for snapping the ball within the first ten seconds of the play clock and allow for defensive substitutions during this time. Currently, defenses cannot make a substitution unless the offense changes personnel first.

The rhetoric will likely continue indefinitely from both sides of the argument. The NCAA playing rules oversight committee will put the measure to a vote on March 6th. This committee historically approves most proposals, but this one could be unique based on the significance of the potential change and the passion it has elicited from college coaches. Whatever the verdict, I am sure this topic will continue to be discussed in the future.