U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville offered his thoughts on the College Football Playoff, how his friend and fellow Coach Nick Saban finished the season, and how awards like the Heisman Trophy could be better decided on.
He spoke to Outkick’s “Hot Mic” with Hutton & Withrow on Monday.
Tuberville (R-Auburn) said the Heisman Trophy should be voted on and awarded after the conclusion of the national championship game.
“For Washington before the game, everyone around the country was asking why did this guy [Washington QB Michael Penix] not win the Heisman? I wish they would change the Heisman situation now that it’s 12 teams next year, just wait ’till after the season, then pick the number one player,” Tuberville said.
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“Don’t do it in December when you’re just kind of guessing at it, ’cause you’re gonna be embarrassed at the end of the year with the top twelve teams playing in a playoff system.”
This year’s Heisman winner, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions along with 1,134 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Tuberville also shared a perspective on the alleged sign-stealing scandal at Michigan, saying the blame falls squarely on the head coach.
“The head coach is responsible for all of that — and you can’t dodge that. All of these coaches are making a lot of money, and there should be a huge fine for something like that. The whole team doesn’t need to be punished. But there should be a huge fine to bring them back to reality. But I don’t think the whole team should be punished, the head coach should be.”
On the topic of Jim Harbaugh and his possible departure for the NFL, Tuberville was also asked if that opportunity or desire ever came across his desk.
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“No, not really. I was offered a job to be the linebackers coach in Cleveland when I was at Miami, Saban was the defensive coordinator and [Bill] Belichick was the head coach. As I told Nick, I had a better job at Miami. I said, ‘we don’t lose here at Miami’ — we were loaded. The NFL is about owners and players. Coaches are pawns in between. They will fire you to sell five more season tickets,” Sen. Tuberville said.
“There’s a lot of good owners in the NFL — but a lot aren’t good. I love football, college and pro and I have a lot of coaches I coached with that went up there and enjoyed it but I never got to that point.”
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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