© Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
No, the rumors are not true – Nick Saban is not returning to coaching. His daughter, Kristen, confirmed it as SEC Media Days wrapped up ahead of the 2025 college football season.
That confirmation was necessary due to an ambiguous post previously seen on her Instagram story. Kristen Saban accidentally got cryptic!
The former Alabama coach’s old quarterback Greg McElroy sparked the initial speculation in Atlanta at the media day event.
“This is a little bit out of left field, but the question was asked of me… a very much in the know person that I have a lot of respect for and have spent a lot of time around and just really, really admire, they seem to think Nick Saban’s not done coaching…
“He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again… If it wasn’t someone notable, I’d never say a word.”
-Greg McElroy
Saban is 73 years old.
He’ll turn 74 on Halloween of this year. For that reason, many shrugged off the idea of a college football return. Kristen Saban, however, accidentally ignited a fire with one simple video on social media.
The coach’s daughter reposted a clip from the SEC Network showing her father running out of the tunnel with his Crimson Tide football team.
A caption on the post read, “I miss this.”
On its own, the video is harmless. Combined with the return to coaching rumors, however, it had many reading much deeper into the post than necessary.
No, Nick Saban is not returning to coaching.
Kristen Saban clarified her intentions after receiving feedback from followers. Some originally believed it was her cryptic attempt to suggest the rumors were true.
Others thought it was an attention grab to further fan the flames. Saban nixed both narratives with a follow-up response.
Instagram / Kristen Saban
“Apparently, some of y’all feel trolled by my last story of Nick’s walkout… He’s not coming back to coaching, hate to break it to you,” she replied. “You had your time.”
Well, there you have it. Nick Saban is not returning to the sidelines. The coaching rumors were false. Greg McElroy’s source was wrong… Or at least that’s what Kristen Saban is leading us to believe.