Gus Johnson called out on social media for referring to Nick Saban as ‘Ol Ball Coach’
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Gus Johnson doesn’t get a chance to call SEC games very often, as FOX doesn’t have rights to any of the conference’s games.
But, SEC fans hold broadcasters to a high level, and they expect the announcers to know the history of the league.
So, when Johnson referred to Alabama coach Nick Saban as the “Ol’ Ball Coach” during Saturday’s Alabama-Texas game, he drew immediate criticism on social media.
As you can see below, Twitter lit up with fans calling out Johnson for applying Steve Spurrier’s nickname (even though Spurrier prefers “Head Ball Coach”) to Saban:
One of these Fox idiots just called Saban the Ol Ball Coach
— Applecores (Taylor’s Version) (@GovWLePetomane) September 10, 2022
Did he just call Saban “The Ol Ball Coach?” ?
— Wiffle Ball Helmet (@wffleballhelmet) September 10, 2022
You can tell fox hasn’t called an Alabama game in forever no one calls Saban the “Ol Ball Coach”
— Ash ♕ (@ar_wise) September 10, 2022
Did Fox just call Saban "The Ol Ball Coach?"
— Michael Seale (@MPSeale) September 10, 2022
Someone tell Gus that Saban is not the "Ol' Ball Coach."
That title will always be Spurrier.
— Dustin L. Davis (@DustinLDavis) September 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/vanieltweets/status/1568647736429367296
https://twitter.com/hilliard_jd/status/1568648504989589504
Do NOT call Saban “The Ole Ball Coach.”
— Richard Stephens (@rastephens_82) September 10, 2022
Gus Johnson just called Nick Saban "The ole ball coach." C'mon man. Everybody knows that was Steve Spurrier. #ALAvsUT
— Tim Peterson (@tspeterson40) September 10, 2022
Nick Saban isn't known as the "Ole Ball Coach," BTW
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) September 10, 2022
It’s safe to say that’s a mistake Johnson and the FOX broadcast crew won’t be making again.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
