For the second time this season, Nick Saban has tested positive for COVID-19. When Saban tested positive of Alabama’s game against Georgia, he ended up coaching the game as subsequent tests determined the initial test was a false positive. This time, however, it appears Saban will not coach on Saturday.
Unlike last time, Saban is experiencing mild symptoms, as Alabama noted in its released statement which said the test will not be categorized as a potential false positive:
“This morning we received notification that Coach Saban tested positive for COVID-19. He has very mild symptoms, so this test will not be categorized as a potential false positive. He will follow all appropriate guidelines and isolate at home.”
During Wednesday’s SEC media teleconference, Saban named offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian as the team’s acting coach, as compiled and shared by the SDS News Desk:
“Sark will oversee things in the building in my absence,” Saban said.
As Alabama learned the last time Saban tested positive, Saban will not have communication with the sideline during Saturday’s Iron Bowl game against Auburn.
“As it is right now, you can have no communication with the sideline, as I understand it,” Saban told reporters.
“He has experience as a head coach. He will call the plays,” Saban said of Sarkisian. “We discussed this before during UGA week…”
Saban added that Sarkisian being in charge won’t lead to any major changes this week.
“We won’t change anything other than some of the administrative, game-day decisions he’ll have to be involved in.”
Sarkisian has six-plus seasons of experience as a head coach at Washington and USC. As Washington’s head coach from 2009-13, he went 34-29 before leaving to take the USC job. With the Trojans, Sarkisian went 9-4 in 2014, his first season. USC was 3-2 in 2015 before Sarkisian went on a leave of absence to address his battle with alcoholism. He was later let go by Southern Cal.
Sarkisian first joined Saban’s staff in 2016 as an analyst. That postseason, Sarkisian stepped in for Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator in the national championship game against Clemson. Sarkisian left to become the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator in 2017. He was fired from Atlanta on Dec. 31, 2018, and returned to Alabama in January 2019 to be Saban’s offensive coordinator.
Saturday will be the first Iron Bowl without Saban since 2006. In that season, Tommy Tuberville’s Tigers defeated Mike Shula’s Crimson Tide 22-15 in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa is the “SEC on CBS” 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. ET showcase.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
