Nick Saban Predicted to Return to Coaching at Alabama's Biggest Rival

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 12:58 PM ET

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy dropped a bombshell at SEC Media Days on Monday, hinting Nick Saban might want to return to coaching. That leads everyone to wonder where the legendary leader's road would lead him. On3 analyst Andy Staples believes it might be the Auburn Tigers.

"I don't think it's that difficult to find a couple of places that he would really enjoy. But if I finish the sentence, this media days will end right here," ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum said. "I think I know this school. I've already denied this story, but I think I know the school where he could be going."

Staples and his co-host, Ari Wasserman, read between the lines of Finebaum's comments on "Andy & Ari On3."

"They're obviously talking about Auburn, aren't they?" Staples said . "They're implying Auburn. Auburn, they're mad at Hugh Freeze for playing too much golf, so they want Nick Saban to stop playing golf and come back. ... I think he could win there. I think they'd rally together to give him what he needed to win."

Staples' co-host, Ari Wasserman, pushed back, saying, "I don't buy (that). I think I would buy, like, West Virginia or Toledo before I would buy that."

Staples believes Saban would demand a certain level of infrastructure — one that Auburn could provide — in order to return to the sidelines. Wasserman made another strong point against Saban joining his former bitter rivals.

"Alabama fans would rightfully hate him, right? Like, why would you do that?" Wasserman said. "It makes no sense."

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

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