There’s no truth to that sensational “bombshell” headline—Nick Saban is not returning to coach Alabama (or any other team) this season.
Here’s the full scoop 📰:
- Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy sparked speculation during SEC Media Days by referencing a “notable” insider who thought Saban might not be done yet.
- That rumbling got louder with talk of a possible NFL return—some analysts even floated teams like the Browns—given Saban’s previous NFL ties.
- But at SEC Media Days, Saban’s daughter, Kristen, laid it to rest via Instagram:
“he’s not coming back to coaching, hate to break it to you…”
- Georgia’s Kirby Smart (a former Saban assistant) echoed the sentiment, saying he “almost laughed” at the rumors and thinks Saban’s wife, Terry, would call the shots if anything ever changed.
- Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer praised Saban’s legacy but said he’s content with his current role at ESPN’s College GameDay.
✅ Final verdict
Despite the hype, there’s no credible evidence that Saban is returning to coaching. His daughter, coaching peers, and his continued commitment to his analyst role at ESPN all suggest he’s retired—for now, at least.
If you’re curious whether there’s any chance he could make a surprise move in the future, it’s always possible—but for now, he seems firmly off the sidelines.
