Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy said a person ‘in the know’ believes the legendary Nick Saban will return to coaching: “If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word,” McElroy said.
In the world of college football, there are few names as synonymous with success and legacy as Nick Saban. For over two decades, Saban has defined the landscape of college football, leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to unparalleled heights of success. His reign as the head coach of Alabama has yielded seven national championships, numerous SEC titles, and a dynasty that has dominated the college football scene. However, Saban’s recent decision to step down from the head coach role in 2024 left many wondering about the future of the program and whether he would truly step away from the game for good.
Now, former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy is raising eyebrows with an explosive claim that suggests Nick Saban may not be done coaching after all. According to McElroy, a person “in the know” has indicated that Saban could be making a return to the sideline sooner rather than later. The revelation has set off a firestorm of speculation, stirring up excitement among Alabama fans and intrigue among the college football community.
McElroy, who played under Saban from 2006 to 2009 and went on to have a successful career in the NFL and as a broadcaster, made the comments during an appearance on his podcast, “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.” While McElroy is no stranger to offering insights into the world of college football, his latest revelation carries a weight that has people wondering if one of the most successful coaches in history could indeed return to the game.
McElroy’s statement was direct and to the point. He shared that he had received information from a highly reliable source about Saban’s potential return to coaching. The claim that Saban could make a comeback sent shockwaves through the college football world, especially considering the circumstances of his departure just a year ago.
“It wasn’t just some random person telling me this,” McElroy said during the podcast. “This is someone who knows what’s going on, and they believe that Nick Saban might not be done coaching yet. They think there’s a possibility he could come back, and when I heard that, I was taken aback. If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word.”
For McElroy, the significance of the person behind this information is what makes this claim so intriguing. The former Alabama QB has built a reputation as someone with insider knowledge of the Alabama football program and the inner workings of college football as a whole. As a player who was a part of the team during Saban’s rise to dominance, McElroy is considered by many to have a unique understanding of Saban’s approach to coaching and his leadership style. That said, when McElroy speaks about Saban’s potential return, people tend to listen.
To understand why McElroy’s claim is so intriguing, it’s important to reflect on Nick Saban’s legacy and his decision to step down from his role as Alabama’s head coach. Saban’s time at Alabama was nothing short of legendary. After arriving in 2007, he immediately turned the program into a powerhouse, with the Crimson Tide winning seven national championships in 17 seasons. Saban revolutionized the way college football teams approach recruiting, game preparation, and player development, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
Despite his incredible success, Saban’s decision to step down after the 2024 season seemed like a natural conclusion to his illustrious career. Saban had been in coaching for over 40 years, and his departure seemed to mark the end of an era, both for him personally and for Alabama football. The announcement came after the Crimson Tide won yet another national title, signaling that Saban had achieved everything he could in his current role. At the time, the idea that he might retire to focus on other aspects of his life made sense.
However, it wasn’t just about stepping away from the game. It was about how Saban left his mark on Alabama. His decision to take on the role of Senior Coaching Advisor, where he would mentor the next generation of coaches and continue to contribute to the program’s success in an off-field capacity, was seen as his legacy moving forward. In his new role, Saban would continue to provide invaluable insight into team strategies, player development, and recruitment.
But the question has always lingered: Was Saban truly done with coaching, or was there something else at play? McElroy’s comments now add a new layer of complexity to the conversation. Could it be that Saban’s return to coaching is on the horizon?
McElroy’s statement has prompted speculation that Saban’s decision to step down as head coach in 2024 may not have been a permanent retirement but rather a strategic pause. Perhaps Saban is taking a break from the daily grind of being the head coach but has not ruled out a return to the sidelines at some point in the future.
While Saban had long been viewed as someone who would eventually retire, McElroy’s comments make it clear that the legendary coach’s departure was not necessarily the final chapter many had assumed it would be. If there’s any truth to the idea that Saban might return, it raises several fascinating questions.
One major factor to consider is Saban’s age. At 73 years old, he is certainly in the later stages of his coaching career. However, age has never been an obstacle for Saban, who has maintained a remarkable level of energy and dedication to the game. His focus on fitness, discipline, and mental sharpness has kept him at the top of his profession longer than most coaches could ever hope to last. For someone with his level of commitment, the idea of stepping away from the game completely may not be as appealing as it would be for others.
Another factor is Saban’s legacy. While he has achieved everything a coach could hope for in terms of championships and recognition, Saban’s obsession with perfection and his drive to continually improve may prevent him from stepping away for good. McElroy’s suggestion that Saban might return to coaching could be based on the notion that, for someone like him, leaving the game entirely is not an easy decision. Even in a more limited capacity, Saban may feel that he still has more to contribute to the sport and that his work is not yet finished.
The college football landscape has also changed in recent years, with major shifts in recruiting, the transfer portal, and the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. As a coach who has always prided himself on adapting to change and maintaining control of his program, Saban may see these changes as an opportunity rather than a challenge. If he returns to coaching, it would likely be under his own terms, allowing him to reshape Alabama football in his image once again.
The idea of Nick Saban returning to coaching is not just a matter of adding one more win to his career tally; it’s about what Saban represents in the world of college football. The “Saban Effect” is real, and it has transformed the sport in ways that few could have predicted. Under Saban’s leadership, Alabama became the gold standard for success in college football, a program that other teams looked to emulate and feared to face. His attention to detail, his ability to develop players, and his relentless pursuit of excellence changed the way programs approached recruiting, game preparation, and team-building.
If Saban were to return, it would send shockwaves throughout the sport. Teams across the SEC and the country would be forced to recalibrate their strategies, knowing that Saban is still capable of dominating the recruiting trail and constructing championship-caliber teams. Alabama’s rivals, already intimidated by the Crimson Tide’s presence, would have to contend with the prospect of Saban coaching again, further raising the stakes for the entire sport.
For Alabama fans, the possibility of a Saban return is tantalizing. After all, this is the coach who led them to glory year after year, bringing the program back to its rightful place among college football’s elite. A return to the sideline would inject a new sense of excitement and energy into a program that has already enjoyed unprecedented success under his leadership.
The notion of Nick Saban returning to coaching also speaks to a larger issue in college football: the pressure that comes with being a head coach. Saban is a coach who thrives on competition, but there’s no denying that the demands of the job have only increased over time. As the game evolves and the expectations on coaches grow, it’s possible that Saban simply needed a breather—a chance to step away and reevaluate what his next chapter in college football might look like.
In many ways, Saban’s decision to leave the head coaching position while maintaining an advisory role could be seen as part of a grander plan. He could be setting the stage for a transition to a new phase of his career, one where he could take on a different type of leadership role. Whether that involves returning to the sidelines in the near future or continuing to guide the next generation of Alabama coaches behind the scenes, it’s clear that Saban still has much to offer the game.
Greg McElroy’s revelation that a “person in the know” believes Nick Saban could return to coaching is a tantalizing piece of speculation that has captivated the world of college football. While it remains to be seen whether Saban will indeed make a return to the sideline, McElroy’s comments raise the possibility that Saban’s coaching days may not be over after all.
For now, Alabama fans and college football enthusiasts will continue to speculate on the future of the greatest coach in college football history. If Saban does return, it will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting developments in recent college football history. Whether on the sidelines or in an advisory role, Nick Saban’s influence on the game will continue to be felt for years to come.
