WATCH: Shane Gillis gives the backstory on his viral exchange with Nick Saban during ESPN’s College GameDay last month

The tension between Shane Gillis and Nick Saban during their now-viral playoff pregame segment on ESPN’s College GameDay wasn’t just an on-camera bit. According to Gillis, things got even more heated once the cameras stopped rolling.

Gillis took some jabs at Saban, joking about the SEC allegedly paying players before the NIL era. Obviously, Gillis was just cracking jokes because, you know, he’s a fucking comedian, but apparently calling the Hall of Fame coach “Alabama Jones” and suggesting he should grab a whip was enough to make Saban cry like a baby.

Saban tried to defend himself on air, but the exchange quickly turned into one of the most awkward (and hilarious) moments of the college football playoff season.

Shane Gillis on Nick Saban, Alabama paying players before NIL era

“Now that everybody can pay their players Notre Dame has a shot. Not just the SEC and Coach Saban.” – Shane Gillis on Gameday 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/vPwu2Khunn

— Karter Baughan (@karterb8) December 21, 2024

Shane Gillis brought the heat on ESPN’s College GameDay, roasts Nick Saban for outfit and paying players at Alabama

Nick Saban definitely mad at Shane Gillis for the hat comments…lol

Seeing how mad Shane Gillis just made Nick Saban — while Nick was wearing that hat — is the peak of comedy pic.twitter.com/UUNugCHyAm

— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) December 21, 2024

Shane Gillis tells backstory on Matt & Shanes Secret Podcast:

On the latest episode of Matt & Shane’s Secret Podcast, Gillis revealed that Saban didn’t just brush the roasting once the cameras stopped. Instead, the seven-time national champion lost his cool and yelled at him for making those types of accusations against the Alabama football program.

“He yelled at me,” Gillis said, recounting the moment. “He straight-up told me my claims about cheating were ‘bullsh*t.’ Dude, he spazzed on me like I was a freshman screwing up a blocking assignment.”

Just when you thought Nick Saban was one of the boys, he turned out to be the grumpy old man we all expected him to be…go figure

Nick Saban listening to Shane Gillis pic.twitter.com/Zq7A7HEZlf

— Bustin Thomas (@bustin_thomas) December 21, 2024

Adding insult to injury, Gillis also claimed that when it came time to help Saban get down from the stage, the former coach seemed less than thrilled about needing his assistance.

“He looked around, like, ‘Is there seriously no one else who can help me?’” Gillis said. “I was thinking, ‘Dude, I didn’t ask to be here either!’”

This makes Shane Gillis vs Nick Saban even funnier 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/l19jfjPZvP

— Joe Ostrowski (@JoeOstrowski) January 9, 2025

Imagine the guy who built Alabama into a football dynasty begrudgingly relying on a stand-up comedian for a helping hand after he was just roasted into oblivion over his stupid outfit while also being accused of paying players before the NIL era ruined college football. Just brutal.

If there’s one takeaway from all this, it’s that Nick Saban isn’t about to let anyone tarnish his legacy—even if it’s coming from one of the most popular COMEDIANS on planet Earth.

As for Gillis, good for him. Roast anyone you want. If Nick Saban can’t handle it, that’s on him. You’re a comedian and the clips went viral for good reason. Who gives a shit if you’re sharing a stage with a college football legend. Poke the bear and trash anyone in sight.

Notre Dame vs. Penn State TONIGHT:

I can’t stand Notre Dame, but I love me some Shane Gillis. Seeing him light up College GameDay was refreshing. However tonight, probably my second most-hated college football team in the Penn State Nittany Lions are playing the No. 1 most-hated team, Notre Dame.

Tough call here. Again, I absolutely hate Notre Dame and Penn State, but if one school had to win, I’m rolling with Penn State tonight.

WE ARE.

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