Former Alabama coach Nick Saban has become a fan favorite as an analyst on ESPN’s “College GameDay” since he retired from coaching last year. Saban cited the muddled NIL environment that has permeated college sports as one of the reasons for his retirement.
After the Tigers fired former LSU coach Brian Kelly on Sunday after a blowout loss to the Texas A&M Aggies, Saban was one of the names linked to the vacant job at his former program.
Analyst Links Nick Saban to LSU Job
During an appearance on the “Rich Eisen Show,” ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum revealed that despite his retirement, Saban could be drawn to the LSU job for both sentimental and monetary reasons.
“It’s actually a legitimate question for this reason. Nick Saban was the coach at LSU. He won the national championship there in 2003,” Finebaum said. “Saban left in 2005 to become the coach of the Dolphins, and in many ways, he’s always regretted it. There was this gravitational pull about Baton Rouge; his family loved it. And it is probably the only place that could get a conversation with Nick Saban.”
Finebaum revealed that only an offer from Tigers’ athletic director Scott Woodward that surpasses Saban’s former salary at Alabama would lure the legendary coach back to college football (3:00).
“What would it take to get Nick Saban to leave the GameDay set to go to LSU? It would take more than what he made at Alabama which is about $10-11 million. If they came up with a package, you could literally fill in the number,” Finebaum added.
Saban’s Wife Roped Into LSU Job Search
Saban has repeatedly cited his wife, Terry Saban, as a massive influence in his career choices, including the decision to retire in 2024. During Tuesday’s segment of the “McShay Report,” ESPN analyst Todd McShay roped in Miss Terry, as she is fondly known by college football fans, into the LSU job hunt involving her husband.
“LSU is going to make an offer to Nick and Miss Terry that will force them to reconsider their justifiable stance of ‘at this point in our lives, working College GameDay, ESPN, ABC is where we where we belong.’ It’s healthier. Nick’s enjoying it. Miss Terry, loving it,” McShay said.
Saban coached at LSU between 2000 and 2004 and compiled a 48-16 record, including winning one BCS national championship title in Baton Rouge. He then took the Miami Dolphins job and finally joined Alabama, where he finished his legendary career.
