Nick Saban has heard his name tossed around in just about every coaching vacancy conversation since he walked off the field, and on Friday, the former Alabama head coach made it pretty clear he’s not itching for a comeback tour, no matter how big the check might be.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Saban was asked about the eye-popping salaries expected to hit the market during this year’s coaching carousel. While the rest of the college football world watches the numbers climb higher and higher, Saban kept it light and leaned into his retirement mindset.
“You know, I want to stay retired,” Saban said. “I do not want [Jimmy Sexton] anywhere near Miss Terry. Because when she hears some of these numbers, she gets interested. And I’m not interested.”
It was a classic Saban moment, just enough humor to deflect the question, but enough honesty to shut it down without sounding annoyed. He’s been tied loosely to openings ever since he stepped away, and now that several Power Four jobs are starting to open up, it’s no surprise his name is once again floating around in rumor mills.
McAfee, never one to shy away from stirring the pot, brought up Penn State specifically and noted that fans had been begging for AD Pat Kraft to hand Saban a blank check. The response was immediate and definitive.
“No way,” Saban said. “I have so much fun working with you. Why would I go do that?”
The man isn’t biting. Not on Penn State. Not on Florida. Not on anyone. He’s out, and he seems perfectly happy staying that way. Now working with ESPN and making regular appearances with McAfee, Saban looks more like a guy enjoying life than someone secretly lining up his next sideline gig. And it’s not like he needs the money or the hassle. The man has seven national titles, a boatload of former assistants scattered across the sport, and a legacy that’s already locked up.
So while boosters and fans around the country continue to dream about luring him back into the grind, Saban’s latest comments make it pretty simple: he’s done. For real this time.
