U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has new thoughts on Alabama head coach Nick Saban's departure from Outkick. please don't @ me With Dan Dakich.

Tuberville (R-Auburn) said the NCAA's name, image and likeness (NIL) system, which is changing the landscape of college sports, was factored into Saban's decision to resign and that the legendary coach was simply fed up with it. He suggested that he thought that he might have done so.

“I kind of knew it was coming. He never mentioned it, but he and I, along with a lot of other coaches and coaches, have been working on the NIL bill. [athletic directors] Over the last few years, he's gotten tired of it,” Sen. Tuberville said.

Saban himself has stated that the NIL and transfer portal did not factor into his decision at all, but it has been reported that they likely were considered to some extent.

Tuberville went on to say that while he would hate to see Saban go, he knows how much he accomplished and after decades of domination, it's just another thing. He said that he may have wanted to.

Related: PASS Act: Tuberville, Manchin tackle NIL regulations

“It wasn't just the NIL. I think he probably got to a point where he wanted to do something else. He accomplished a lot. To see him walk away from college sports… I don't like it. I think he'll continue to be active in some form, but I don't know what it is. But his success will never be replicated. Not in our lifetimes anyway. ” Tuberville said.

Saban won six national championships at Alabama, one at LSU and seven national championships during his coaching career. His sheer dominance in the sport is often imitated but never replicated.

Michael Brauner is a senior sports analyst and contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP