At SEC Media Days on July 14, 2025, a bombshell claim ignited fervent debate about the future of legendary coach Nick Saban. ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, speaking on his radio program, McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning on WJOX in Birmingham, revealed insider knowledge from a “very much in the know” source. This source, described as highly credible and “adamant,” predicted that Saban, the architect of seven national championships, is poised to return to coaching. McElroy underscored the weight of this claim, stating, “If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word.”
Reinforcing this narrative, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who served as Saban’s offensive coordinator at Alabama from 2014 to 2016, added fuel to the speculation. In a breakout session in Atlanta, Kiffin told The Clarion Ledger, “I don’t think he’s done… Whether it’s college or NFL, I think he’ll be back.” These remarks from two prominent SEC figures have thrust Saban’s retirement into question, suggesting his competitive fire may yet draw him back to the sidelines.
Saban, now 73, stepped away from coaching in January 2024 after Alabama’s overtime defeat to Michigan in the 2024 College Football Playoff Rose Bowl. Currently, he thrives as a key analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay, enjoying a lucrative and low-stress role. Yet, his storied career—marked by 11 SEC titles and an unmatched legacy as college football’s greatest coach—fuels speculation that he may not be finished.
Not everyone is convinced. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, a close observer of Saban, dismissed the notion of a comeback. “He’s having the time of his life,” Finebaum remarked, pointing to Saban’s enviable retirement lifestyle in Florida, complete with golf at elite clubs and significant earnings from television. “He had a better situation at Alabama the day he left than he’ll have anywhere else,” Finebaum argued, questioning the appeal of returning to the grueling demands of coaching, whether in college or the NFL.
Saban’s retirement was partly driven by frustrations with modern college football, including the complexities of NIL deals and the transfer portal. A return to college football would make him the oldest active head coach, surpassing North Carolina’s Bill Belichick by a year. In the NFL, he would rank as the second-oldest, behind only Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders. While Saban’s brief tenure with the Miami Dolphins (2005-2006) offers precedent for an NFL pivot, Finebaum suggested that this “itch” may no longer burn.
The speculation, amplified by McElroy and Kiffin, has transformed Saban’s potential return from a longshot to a plausible scenario. Could the NFL beckon, or might a college program lure him back? Without a definitive statement from Saban himself, the question lingers, captivating fans and analysts alike.
