Greg McElroy Gives Update on Nick Saban Coaching Return Rumor

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 5:37 PM ET

The college football world was abuzz Monday with news that Nick Saban might be interested in pulling on a headset again. However, former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy clarified on Tuesday that his comment was taken out of context.

McElroy joined On3’s J.D. PicKell at SEC Media Days on Tuesday to clear the air.

“I don’t think he’s coming back, so we’ll start with that,” McElroy said. “I don’t see that as a likely possibility at all. I think he’s fully content doing what he’s doing.”

Along with spending time on the golf course, Saban is part of the crew for ESPN’s “College GameDay” and is involved in his Nick’s Kids Foundation. McElroy pointed out that there are some who believe Saban would listen if “the right situation came about.”

“Hypothetically speaking, Andy Reid retires and they want Nick Saban for the Kansas City Chiefs, how do you not take that call?” McElroy said. “Don’t rule it out, I guess is kind of how they phrased it. People I trust and people I respect and I’m like, ‘I don’t really buy it.’”

McElroy explained that he only asked Paul Finebaum about the whispers because he trusted his sources. The situation, which stoked the fire of speculation, was misconstrued.

“All it is is like, ‘People in the know tell Greg McElroy Saban’s open to returning to the sideline,’” McElroy said. “Like, ‘No, no, I didn’t say that!’ … It was literally like a throwaway line and none of us thought it was gonna take off the way it (did).”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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