Is Nick Saban Really Done Coaching Football?

There are moments in life you always remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard earth-shattering news, whether good or bad. You know where you were when you found out about your first child, where you met your significant other, or when a family member passed away.

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Alabama fans across the globe remember where they were on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, when Chris Low dropped the biggest news bomb that the college football world ever received: Nick Saban was retiring.

The following 72 hours were a whirlwind for both fans and the media as Alabama undertook its first coaching search in 18 years. The Tide landed on Kalen DeBoer, the head coach of the Washington Huskies, to replace the seven-time national champion.

Since his retirement, Nick Saban can be found on his boat on the lake, at his beach house in Jupiter, Florida, on a golf course (although it's unclear who plays more, Hugh Freeze or Nick Saban), or on the set of ESPN's College Gameday covering the NFL draft, SEC Media Days, and dropping viral gems with Pat McAfee. Nick Saban looks to be enjoying the stress-free life of retirement more than just about anybody. But does Coach Saban still have that itch?

Remember, Nick Saban's final game of his coaching career was an overtime loss to the Michigan Wolverines, where Jalen Milroe was stopped two yards shy of the endzone. Freshman safety Caleb Downs made the wrong coverage read on a crucial fourth down in regulation as well, leading to Michigan sending the game into overtime. Saban was a play away from coaching for his eighth national championship, and retiring out on top sounds good to anyone.

With Saban's mentor, Bill Belichick, making his way to the college ranks to coach North Carolina, could the former Crimson Tide legend be back on the hunt for another national title chance?

According to Digital Drive (formerly Radio Row) at SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Georgia, it may not be farfetched.

According to former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy on Mac and Cube in the Morning, he told SEC Network host Paul Finebaum that a notable "in-the-know" college football personality told him that he believes that Nick Saban is not done coaching.

Could Saban return to the ranks? Does a 73-year-old Nick Saban, who has been out of the coaching and recruiting game for two seasons now, give a team the best chance to win?

The bigger question is, who would be willing to hire Saban, knowing he likely doesn't even have five years left in the tank? Saban said one of the biggest factors that went into his retirement was his inability to hire quality assistant coaches.

Maybe McElroy and Finebaum meant peewee football for Saban's grandson?

McElroy elaborated to On3 Sports after his shell-shocking statement:

"I don't think he's coming back. I think he's completely fulfilled with what he's doing, but some think he misses the competition and would consider coming back. But I don't buy that."

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Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.