Paul Finebaum Reveals If Nick Saban Will Return to Alabama

"No," Finebaum said. "What I said (Monday) on TV, we were joking. I know people took that seriously. Nick Saban is not coming back. There's a 0% chance that he's coming back."

Nick Saban Explains Why He’s Happy in Retirement

Finebaum believes there is no chance that Saban will return, but what matters is Saban's own perspective. In July, Saban shared his thoughts on the possibility of returning to coaching.

"There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would entice me to go back to coaching," Saban previously said. "I enjoy what I'm doing. I did it for 50 years. I loved it. I loved the relationship with the players. I loved the competition. But, you know, it's another station of life now."

Greg McElroy’s Comments Fueled Speculation

Saban didn't completely rule out a return to coaching, though it's unlikely. His former quarterback and current college football analyst, Greg McElroy, revealed this offseason that Saban might have some interest.

"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, they seem to think Nick Saban is not done coaching," McElroy said, according to 247Sports. "He's pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again."

However, Saban dismissed that idea.

"You know, I don't know where that came from," Saban responded. "Greg McElroy played quarterback for us. And if he'd had done something like that when he was a player, he would have got his ass kicked."

For now, Finebaum insists there’s “zero chance” of a return, and Saban himself has echoed that message. Still, with Alabama struggling in the post-Saban era, the fan base will keep clinging to the hope that their legendary coach could walk back through the tunnel one more time, no matter how unrealistic it may be.