Nick Saban’s Potential Return to Coaching

It looks like Nick Saban might make a return to coaching, according to Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN commentator. He shared insights during a radio show on Monday, referencing “notable” sources that suggest Saban’s coaching days are not completely behind him.

“This is somewhat outside the typical discussion, but the question came up… Many people who know I hold Saban in high regard have been asking,” McElroy noted, highlighting a conversation with Paul Feinbaum during the “Morning McElroy and Kubelic” show.

McElroy remarked that there’s a belief Saban’s career isn’t finished, adding that he himself feels positive about the possibility of Saban returning to the game.

At 73, Saban retired from college coaching in January 2024 after an impressive 17-year tenure at Alabama, where he secured six national championships and amassed 28 years in college football overall. After stepping down, he transitioned to a role in sports media, joining ESPN’s “College GameDay” shortly afterward.

In the meantime, former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer has been appointed as Saban’s successor.

While the idea of Saban coaching again is generating buzz, both McElroy and Feinbaum have expressed some skepticism regarding these discussions. “You know Saban better than I do, Greg, but just the other day, I spoke to someone who spends time with him in Florida. Can you picture it?”

He continued, “If you have it all—playing golf at the finest courses, making connections with exclusive clubs, and enjoying a lucrative yet low-pressure job in TV—what would motivate him to return to the sidelines?”

Regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history, Saban concluded his career with an impressive 292-71-1 record and 11 championships. Meanwhile, DeBoer closed out his first season at Alabama with a 9-4 record.