Paul Finebaum Breaks Silence on Retirement Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Borba | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 7:15 PM ET

In an era of media where many feel pundits aren't as hard on players or coaches as they once were, ESPN's Paul Finebaum has never been shy about expressing an unpopular opinion or putting someone on the hot seat.

The popular college football analyst put Alabama's Kalen DeBoer on the hot seat after his first year on the job this past season, and has consistently shredded the SEC and Big Ten for wanting automatic bids in the College Football Playoff.

While fans weren't expecting Finebaum to forever be one of the voices of college football, he fielded a question from Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz that likely no one saw coming. The Tigers head coach asked Finebaum about his possibly retiring, to which Finebaum jokingly revealed that while it was suggested to him, he still loved what he did.

"It's been suggested to me to retire immediately," Finebaum quipped. "But I enjoy it. I mean, I really do. As long as there are people like coach Drink (Drinkwitz) to kick around, I'll keep going."

Finebaum did admit he isn't as "tough" as he used to be on the coaches, declaring that he used to be a "coach killer," but is now a "cheerleader for the coaches.

Although Finebaum isn't stepping away from being the SEC's most prominent critic and supporter, it was revealed back in February that he and his wife Linda moved back to the state of Alabama. Finebaum reportedly purchased a $5.162 million mansion in Mountain Brook.

A move that he made after inking a multi-year extension with ESPN in August. Despite his home base being in Alabama, his show the "Paul Finebaum Show" will still operate out of Charlotte, North Carolina.

While Drinkwitz and the other SEC coaches may not want to deal with Finebaum constantly putting them in their place or on the hot seat, he doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

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

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