Would Nick Saban really come back to coaching?
Lane Kiffin Reveals Why Nick Saban Would Return to Coaching After Monday’s Rumor originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2025-26 college football season is right around the corner, and SEC Media Days officially kicked off Monday in Atlanta. Coaches and three players from each SEC program meet with the media every year, and this year’s event opened with LSU, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
But while the spotlight was on those four teams, a bombshell Nick Saban rumor broke — ESPN’s Greg McElroy hinted he might not be done coaching just yet.
"This is a little bit out of left field, but the question was asked of me … a very much in the know person that I have a lot of respect for and have spent a lot of time around and just really, really admire,” McElroy said on "The Paul Finebaum Show." "They seem to think Nick Saban’s not done coaching. I had a similar reaction. He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again. … Look, if it wasn’t someone notable, I’d never say a word."
Meanwhile, later in the day, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin hopped on "The Paul Finebaum Show" and was asked why Saban would return after retiring following the 2023-24 college football season.
"He's one of the greatest of all times, and like I saw an interview with him the other day, he's still sharp, smart, like he belongs in coaching," Kiffin said. "It’s malpractice for him not to be in coaching—one of the key words he used to use. He’s such a great teacher."
Kiffin’s opinion carries weight, as he spent three seasons on Saban’s Alabama staff from 2014 to 2016 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Saban is arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, winning seven national championships and 11 SEC titles. Due to age and the new era of NIL, many thought the 73-year-old was done coaching for good after stepping down in Tuscaloosa. However, he's remained around the sport, spending last season as a host on ESPN's "College GameDay."
Perhaps watching as an outsider for the first time in decades has him itching to jump back in. Only time will tell if Saban decides to return, but until anything beyond McElroy’s words surfaces, it remains just a rumor. It’s worth noting, however, that McElroy played for Saban at Alabama and was the quarterback during one of his seven national championships.
Related: Alabama Hosted an Embarrassing Crowd During A-Day on Saturday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
