Before becoming the greatest college football coach of all time at Alabama, Nick Saban held multiple positions in the NFL. With rumors swirling about a possible return to coaching, could he take over a franchise where he once served as defensive coordinator?
Nick Saban Rumored to Return to Coaching
Greg McElroy, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback from 2007 to 2010, recently shared on his radio show, “Mac and Cube”, that a trusted source believes Nick Saban is considering a return to coaching.
REPORT: Greg McElroy said a person ‘in the know’ believes Nick Saban will return to coaching👀
“If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word.”
(via @macandcube)https://t.co/bWMfklaAqJ pic.twitter.com/A4JiDqS9mN
— On3 (@On3sports) July 14, 2025
Saban retired as Alabama’s head coach after the 2023 season and has since moved into a media role. However, On3’s Andy Staples noted that if Saban does come back, it’s likely to be in the NFL.
“I don’t believe that Nick Saban is going to come back to college football until there’s a firm set of rules, which is not going to happen before he turns 80, probably.”
“This sounds like an NFL discussion to me.”@Andy_Staples x @AriWasserman https://t.co/lDnjTyGGmf pic.twitter.com/35m3N9caBH
— On3 (@On3sports) July 14, 2025
So, if Saban were to return to an NFL team, which makes the most sense? One analyst believes it could be the Cleveland Browns.
Saban Floated to Make a Potential Return to Cleveland
In response to all this news, Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos listed potential landing spots that Saban could go to if he were to return to coaching, and one of the teams listed was the Cleveland Browns.
Saban served as the Browns’ defensive coordinator from 1991 to 1994, where he coached alongside Bill Belichick, who was Cleveland’s head coach. Burgos believes that if Kevin Stefansky has another bad year, the organization could be willing to do anything to land Saban.
“Cleveland would be a team desperate enough to give Saban whatever he wants to take over their program,” Burgos wrote. “That would surely entice the coach to go back to the NFL ranks.”
Cleveland would make a lot of sense. The Browns went a disastrous 3-14 last season under Stefanski, and with another losing year, the front office could be ready for a coaching change. Given Saban’s ties to Cleveland, he would definitely be worth considering.
It’s important to note that Saban’s daughter, Kristen, posted on her Instagram story yesterday, claiming that her father is not making a return to coaching.
Nick Saban’s daughter Kristen decides to Curb-stomp the comeback rumors on her IG story… pic.twitter.com/naQiVIOU5o
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) July 17, 2025
While it appears Saban’s daughter is content that her father won’t be looking for a new job anytime soon, it’s not out of the question. Saban coached football for 50 years, and if the right opportunity approaches, it wouldn’t be shocking if he took it.
If the Browns want him bad enough, there’s always a chance that the two parties could be reunited.
