Nick Saban Drew Multiple FCC Complaints From Fans for Cursing During 'College GameDay'

Legendary former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban was reportedly the subject of three separate complaints to the Federal Communications Commission during the 2024 college football season.

After retiring from coaching, Saban joined ESPN College GameDay as an analyst, and there were several instances throughout the season when he used profanity, which often drew laughter from the rest of the panel.

According to AL.com's Matt Stahl, two complaints naming Saban were filed to the FCC on Dec. 7, and another was filed about a month later, all due to his penchant for cursing.

Per Stahl, the first complaint came from someone in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and they called for a significant fine, writing:

"Nick Saban said the word s--t twice, b---h once and something else I can't remember. I tune [in] to gain knowledge and insight on college football, not to have profanity stuffed in my face by a former coach trying to be funny. It will continue until you [fine] them a million dollars or more. Chinchy fines accomplish nothing."

A second complaint from someone in Forest City, North Carolina, that day admonished Saban for saying "bulls--t," and also admonished Pat McAfee for regularly using profanity.

The third and final complaint was filed in January by a person in Chantilly, Virginia, due to Saban, McAfee and Desmond Howard using "inappropriate language."

None of the complaints led to a punishment against Saban or ESPN due to the fact that cable channels have fewer restrictions compared to broadcast channels.

Kristi Thornton, who is the deputy division chief of the consumer policy division of the Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau, said the following about the complaints and why no action was taken:

"The FCC receives many complaints and comments that do not involve violations of the Communications Act or any FCC rule or order. Thus, a complaint or comment does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing by any individuals or entities named in the complaint or comment."

Saban, 73, spent 17 seasons as the head coach at Alabama, following one season at Toledo, five at Michigan State and five at LSU, as well as two seasons as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

He established himself as one of the greatest coaches in college football history, going 292-71-1 and winning 11 SEC titles and seven national championships.

Saban was replaced by former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer upon retiring, and Bama missed the College Football Playoff in the first year of the post-Saban era, finishing 9-4.

All signs point toward Saban continuing with College GameDay during the 2025 season, plus he has an advisory role at Alabama.