Nick Saban retirement: College football fans, media speculate about former Alabama coach's next job
Nick Saban announced that he would be retiring on Wednesday after an incredible career at Alabama, which saw him lose only 29 times over 17 seasons, and while many were focused on looking back at his legacy and how it may impact the college football world, others have begun to look at what may be ahead for the 72-year-old.
For instance, many believe that a role as a part of ESPN’s College GameDay may be in the cards for Saban:
ESPN taking Nick Saban to the College GameDay set pic.twitter.com/AJn4zVPfsw
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) January 10, 2024
I don’t know what Nick Saban has planned for retirement — I’m not sure he wants to or needs to do anything else — but he’d make a hell of an analyst. The multiple times he’s joined ESPN GameDay were always terrific.
— Brett Gibbons (@roadtocfb) January 10, 2024
Specifically, people think that Saban could take over the spot that Lee Corso has long held on College Gameday:
Also goes with out saying: I am incredibly happy for Nick Saban, who can hang out on the lake, replace Corso on Gameday and explore his newfound hobby of “Italy”
— Marc Torrence (@marctorrence) January 10, 2024
College Gameday with Pat McAfee, Saban, and Herby is absolute must see TV. Replacing Coach Corso with Coach Saban is the most no brainer decision ever. Do it.
— Sumner Darlington (@Sumner_D2) January 10, 2024
With absolutely, positively zero actual information, just a wild, wild, wild guess:
– Saban to GameDay
– Corso retires
– McAfee takes over the gimmick pick— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) January 10, 2024
And then, there are some people with some REALLY out there ideas:
Imagine:
Nick Saban and Pete Carrol to host ESPN Gameday and NFL Countdown.
Bill Belichick takes the role of Stanford Steve
— kwade (@KwadeSays) January 10, 2024
In the end, even Georgia fans paid respects to one of the sport’s GOATs:
Nick Saban is UGA’s Daddy (he has many sons). I have no shame in admitting this.
He is the greatest all-time college football coach. We should thank him, Georgia fans ESPECIALLY. Saban helped mold Kirby. Thank you. What an absolutely amazing run. Now go join College GameDay!
— Ian Boatman (@IanBoatmanUGA) January 10, 2024
Will he actually end up at College GameDay? That remains to be seen, but his yearly appearances on the ESPN pregame show have been insightful and entertaining.
If he wants to do GameDay, he’ll likely have a spot. If not … well, the greatest college football coach of all time can pretty much do whatever he wants in retirement.
