Nick Saban retired after the 2023 season with successes at multiple stops. However, his name still surfaces every time a high-profile job opens up.
Nick Saban Reveals Why He Won’t Coach College Football Again
When Penn State and LSU were unexpectedly left searching for new head coaches, Saban’s name quickly surfaced. Given his success record and deep passion for the game, the speculation came as no surprise.
Saban also said on Wednesday that he still feels a pull toward coaching.
“I miss coaching a little bit, I miss the relationships with the players,” Saban told Paul Finebaum. “I miss the competition, but it’s a trade-off.”
However, when it comes to a potential return, Saban made it clear that reality at home plays a major role.
“When people call, all I can tell all the fans out there is Miss Terry says if you take a job, you’re commuting. She’s not moving. She’s not leaving the grandkids. She’s not leaving any of that.”
This led Finebaum to suggest Saban’s coaching days are likely over, and Saban essentially agreed with that.
“No, that’s probably right,” Saban said.
Saban had an overall collegiate record of 297-71-1 and never had a losing season in 28 years as a head coach. He has the feat of winning seven national championships, while also producing more than 40 first-round NFL draft picks over his career. His coaching career ultimately earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
Analyst Kirk Herbstreit had already suggested last year that Saban wouldn’t return, and Saban’s own comments have reinforced that belief. Besides family considerations, there is also a sense that today’s college football no longer aligns with the program-building approach he once dominated.
However, Saban remains closely connected to the sport, especially when discussing Alabama, where he built a dynasty that included six national titles and nine SEC championships. He spoke a lot about Alabama football on Wednesday.
“I think, when I retired, 26 players left, and some really good players,” Saban said. “Regardless of who was the coach, I think Kalen (DeBoer) has done a really good job. Other people recognize that. He had an opportunity to go to Michigan. If Alabama wanted to keep him, they had to step up and do it. It was the right thing because we would have lost our roster if he would have left. I think he’s done a good job.
“There’s a lot to overcome. Every one of these transitions are very, very difficult. The best traditional jobs are no longer the best traditional jobs. The people who have the most money have the best opportunity to win. That’s the way it is. Just because you have great tradition doesn’t mean if you don’t have the support to pay the players, other teams are going to do better than you.”
While Alabama continues to chase championships under DeBoer, Saban has settled into a busy post-coaching life. He remains a prominent voice on “College GameDay” while contributing draft analysis and managing a number of luxury car dealerships.
