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Insider Suggests Nick Saban Should Take Over For Ohio State

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 11:30 PM ET

Nick Saban could soon be dusting off his whistle. The legendary college football coach, who reigned supreme over the sport during his tenure with the Alabama Crimson Tide, is rumored to want to return to the sidelines.

The seven-time national champion’s reputation precedes him, but is it so grand that every coach in America should be sweating?

Yes.

Even Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day?

On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman think so.

“I feel like I would fire everybody,” Wasserman said Monday on “Andy & Ari On3.” “Who would you not fire? Kirby Smart and Ryan Day, maybe? I’d fire Ryan Day for Nick Saban, are you kidding me? And Ryan Day’s a top-2 coach in America. We’re talking about Nick Saban.”

Saban worked under Earle Bruce as a defensive backs coach at Ohio State from 1980-81.

Day got over the hump to win a College Football Playoff national championship last season, but his victory lap will come to an end when the Buckeyes welcome Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns in on Aug. 30. Day sports a 70-10 career mark in Columbus, including a 46-5 record against the Big Ten, and has lifted Ohio State to four CFP appearances.

If Ohio State fans have one gripe with Day, it’s that he can’t seem to find any footing against bitter rival Michigan, a drawback that has prompted plenty to call for his job.

Staples said Smart is the only coach he wouldn’t axe in order to bring Saban on. Smart, a former Saban assistant, has gone 105-19 over nine seasons at Georgia. He won back-to-back CFP titles in 2021 and 2022.

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

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