College GameDay took an awkward turn Friday night when comedian Shane Gillis clashed with Nick Saban ahead of Indiana vs. Notre Dame — not that college football fans were complaining.
Gillis, a huge Notre Dame fan, joined Pat McAfee on the show with ESPN in South Bend for the big game and didn’t miss his chance to taunt former Alabama coach Saban.
Gillis spoke to McAfee about his hopes for Notre Dame, saying the matchup “felt different” because, “Now that everyone can pay their players, Notre Dame has a chance. Not just the SEC and Coach Saban.”
McAfee seemed to enjoy the dig at Saban, causing Gillis to get a fist bump. And the 37-year-old comedian wasn’t done with that yet.
Later, back in the makeshift studio at the field, McAfee reminded Gills of his comments in Saban’s presence.
“You called him a cheater before,” McAfee said, before Gillis responded while mocking Saban’s appearance.
Shane Gillis repeatedly mocked Nick Saban during his Friday appearance on College GameDay
Gillis called 72-year-old Saban “Alabama Jones” for wearing his hat during Friday’s game
“I don’t think the SEC has ever paid players. I’m kidding: Isn’t this a fun show? Is this a serious show? Alabama Jones is very serious. Get the whip, Indy,” he said, referring to a hat Saban was wearing that resembled Indiana Jones as McAfee started cackling.
“I really believe in integrity,” Saban said, before directing a thinly veiled dig at Gillis.
“I’ve always tried to run the program that way so that players had the opportunity to be more successful in life.
‘That’s how we cheated. We have developed players.”
As the panel laughed, Gillis apologized and McAfee pointed at him and said, “Bad guy! Bad guy!’.
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But the fans watching from home enjoyed the tension between Saban and Gillis.
“Seeing how angry Shane Gillis just made Nick Saban – while Nick was wearing that hat – is the height of comedy,” said a fan on X.
Another wrote: ‘Incredible TV moment. Just when I thought I couldn’t love Shane Gillis anymore, he started calling the GOAT “Alabama Jones.” Coach Saban answered it perfectly too.”
Another comment read, “Shane Gillis calling Saban ‘Alabama Jones’ made me laugh,” while another fan picked up on the tension between the two men.
“You just know Nick Saban hates Shane Gillis vibes,” they wrote.
McAfee himself also seemed to enjoy the moment, tweeting it with the caption, “You’re a bad guy, Shane Gillis.”
Saban resigned as Alabama’s coach earlier this year at the age of 72 after seventeen seasons.
He won seven national championships and coached more Heisman winners than anyone else.