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By Cole Sullivan
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The legendary Nick Saban retired from coaching following the conclusion of the 2023 season, handing the keys to the Alabama Crimson Tide program to Kalen DeBoer after leading the team to six national championships during his tenure.
He also captured one national title with LSU back in 2003 before taking a brief head-coaching role in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. When he returned to the college ranks, he landed at Alabama — and that’s ultimately where he remained for the rest of his storied career.
Now in his second year as an analyst on ESPN'S "College GameDay," Saban appears to be enjoying his new role alongside the rest of the panel. Still, whenever a major college coaching job opens up, his name inevitably surfaces in speculation — including this week, when Penn State fired James Franklin.
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On Saturday morning, Saban’s wife Terry appeared on "College GameDay" and was asked by Pat McAfee whether her husband would consider returning to coaching to fill the Penn State vacancy. Her answer made things clear.
“I have no doubt if Nick wanted to go back to coaching, he could win his eighth national championship," Terry said. "But we’re having too much fun, and we wouldn’t want to take that opportunity away from all of our baby coaches — like Kirby [Smart] and Lane [Kiffin].”
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The college football world is currently headlined by several coaches who came from the Saban coaching tree. Former assistants who have gone on to become premier head coaches in their own right, include Georgia's Kirby Smart, Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Oregon's Dan Lanning, Texas' Steve Sarkisian, Indiana's Curt Cignetti, and former Florida State and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher.
Saban, now 73 years old, retired at the top of his game, walking away as one of the most accomplished coaches in college football history. However, with Bill Belichick recently making his own return to coaching at the same age after a brief hiatus, speculation naturally will continue to swirl around Saban whenever major jobs open up at the collegiate level.
For now, though, it appears a comeback remains unlikely — with Saban seemingly content in retirement and enjoying his role on "College GameDay."
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