ESPN analyst and college coaching legend Nick Saban may be happily retired, but there are a lot of rumors that have been surfacing that he may want to get out of retirement and start coaching again. This has divided many people who actually know Saban, with some saying that this might come true, while others are saying that this is highly unlikely.
One of those chiming in on the matter is fellow college coach-turned-analyst Urban Meyer. The former Ohio State head coach appeared on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and shared his take on the Nick Saban return rumors, saying he does not think that Saban will return to college coaching. The NFL, however…
“I don’t think he’d go back to college. I don’t see that fit. I think you’re, you know, the whole idea that where the heck is Alabama? Why are they not in the top 10 in spending? I don’t understand that one. And Coach DeBoer, I’d be asking some hard questions, say, what’s the problem here? We can’t compete, but we can’t pay our players. So I agree with you. I would say very little to no chance you would get involved in college, but I think he would take phone calls from the NFL.”
Saban once coached in the NFL, spending two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. However, he was not as successful in the NFL as he was in the NCAA. As Meyer noted, if Saban does come out of retirement to coach once again, he would not likely coach college ball, especially with all that is happening in the NIL and transfer portal situations. However, he does leave the door open for the NFL.
Nick Saban’s Daughter, Kristen, Refutes Dad’s Return Rumors
Meanwhile, one of those who are actually pushing back on Nick Saban’s return is the legendary coach’s own daughter, Kristen. She took to her Instagram Stories and flat-out rejected the rumors that her dad would return to coaching.
“Apparently some of y’all feel trolled by my last story of Nick’s walkout… he’s not coming back to coaching, hate to break it to you,” she wrote in her story. “You had your time.”
Not that there was ever a doubt but Kristen Saban says her dad Nick Saban isn’t coming back to coaching after rumors popped up earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/olRVdp8bTN
— John Talty (@JTalty) July 17, 2025
The rumors were started by former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, who claimed that a person “in the know” was confident that Saban would be returning, though many pushed back on the idea.
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