Greg McElroy went from Alabama QB to NFL star to sports pundit, and he was the one responsible for the rumors that legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban is going back to coaching. However, while he insists that a person close to Saban told him this, he has since been contradicted by Saban’s daughter. This time, it is Nick Saban himself who is denying it.
During a stage interview during the Nick Saban Legacy Awards at the University of Alabama, the actual Nick Saban was asked about Greg McElroy, now considered an Alabama great, spreading all those rumors about him. The legendary coach said that if he had done that when he was still a player, things would have been different.
“Greg McElroy played quarterback for us and if he’d’ve done something like that when he was a player, he would have got his a** kicked,” Saban said in the interview.
Nick Saban was asked about the rumor of a potential return to coaching in his future.
His answer: “Greg McElroy played quarterback for us and if he’d’ve done something like that when he was a player, he would have got his a** kicked.” 🤣 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/EIGWgUGKIs
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) August 19, 2025
McElroy revealed the rumor to the public back in July, during an episode of his podcast, “McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning.” He claimed that somebody “in the know” told him that Saban was planning to coach again. However, he did not specify whether this would be for college football or the NFL, as Saban also coached pro football in his long career as a coach.
Several college football personalities doubted this, including ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. However, the rumors persisted, and some of them even claimed that he may be coaching the Cleveland Browns next season and that they were aiming for current Texas QB Arch Manning.
Age Was a Factor in Nick Saban’s Decision To Step Away from Coaching
When Alabama was defeated by the eventual national champions, the Michigan Wolverines, in 2024, Nick Saban shocked many when he announced that he was going to retire after leading the Crimson Tide to multiple national titles. Kalen DeBoer was announced as his replacement just two days later.
The legendary coach is turning 74 on Oct. 31, and one of the reasons he announced his retirement just days after that Rose Bowl loss was because of his age. It had not been a bad season for Alabama, finishing 9-4, but it was not a good one for the standards he had set for himself, not getting ten wins that season.
Related:
Urban Meyer Leaves Coaching Door Open for Nick Saban Amid Rumors Surrounding Alabama Legend
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