Legendary college football coach Nick Saban retired after the 2023 season, ending a storied 28-year run as a head coach that included seven national championships and 11 SEC titles. But talk of a potential return sparked last week when his former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, brought up the possibility at SEC Media Days.
"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,” McElroy said, “they seem to think Nick Saban’s not done coaching."
Meanwhile, Saban’s daughter, Kristen Saban Setas, has remained active on social media since McElroy’s comments. She recently dismissed the idea of his return in an Instagram story.
“Apparently some of y’all feel trolled by my last story of Nick’s walkout,” Setas said. “…He’s not coming back to coaching, hate to break it to you. You had your time.”
But Setas didn’t stop there. She later shared another post outside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where a fan commented, predicting her dad’s return based on the photo.
"Saban coming out of retirement confirmed," the fan wrote.
Setas responded and doubled down.
"lol not a chance sorry," Setas said.
Saban is 73 years old, and as his daughter said, he isn't coming back. But her words won't stop him from being around college football like he did this past season as a host on ESPN's "College GameDay."
The former Alabama coach offered valuable insight from a fresh perspective while sitting alongside Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Lee Corso.
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