Nick Saban had a pretty intense media sesh down at the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Florida. Saban’s primary focus was satellite camps and the impact they are having on the game of college football. Generally speaking, I agree with Saban’s take on satellite camps. I do think we need to get rid of them. Long term, they are not good for the players or the game.

I also agree with another point that Saban made about high school football coaches. Saban said during his press conference that he believes that high school football coaches are the only coaches left in high school sports that matter. He’s right.

Unlike basketball, baseball, hockey and lacrosse, which have been infiltrated by AAU and club teams, high school football is the only sport left where the high school team still matters. Some high school athletes care more about their travel teams than they do their high school team. That’s because the traveling team gives them more “exposure” and the opportunity to play in front of more “college coaches”. I hate to stereotype an entire generation, but kids today are more selfish than ever. Its all about them. They are more concerned about their playing time and their role on a team than they are about the team itself. That’s why they play on travel teams.

Saban is right. Football coaches have worked hard to keep the AAU and travel team element out of the game. Unfortunately, football coaches are starting to lose the battle and pretty soon you’ll see more travel teams in football, especially down south. Camps and passing leagues are popping up everywhere. Its all about exposure today and it seems that the only way you could get it is if you are a high school athlete is to play a sport year round for someone else.

I have always believed that AAU sports have hurt high school sports more than they’ve helped them. Coaches who are under qualified and looking to make a fast buck are selling kids on a dream. Its too bad that sports are being ruined by corrupt individuals like that. Saban is right. High school football coaches are the only coaches left that matter. They are still coaching a sport that is pure and they are fighting to keep it that way.