Brian Kelly reacts to idea of Nick Saban returning to coaching
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Brian Kelly had a wild report to react to, even as the head coach at LSU was at SEC Media Days to preview the 2025 season.
That report came from none other than Greg McElroy, a prominent member of the media with close ties to Nick Saban as a former Alabama quarterback under the legendary coach. And, according to McElroy, someone close to Saban believes the head coach is not done coaching, even after retiring from his post in Tuscaloosa after the 2023 season.
“If it wasn’t someone notable, I wouldn’t say a word,” claimed McElroy. For what it’s worth, Paul Finebaum, a counterpart of McElroy’s on the SEC Network, isn’t buying Saban coming back to coaching, but that’s the kind of report that gets people talking, including Kelly.
Asked about the idea of Saban returning, Kelly was all for it. He went so far as to say that college football is better when Saban is coaching.
“It’d be better for college football if Nick Saban is coaching. Period,” said Brian Kelly, according to Alex Byington with On3 Sports. “There’s nobody better to develop players & certainly build championship programs… It’d be a great day if he was back in it.”
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It might be great for college football, but rival coaches certainly aren’t eager to have to face him on the field any time soon. For now, it feels like a massive longshot that Saban would return to the field, but McElroy’s report is out there, so you can expect other coaches and personalities to weigh in.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
