This is an opinion column.

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Nick Saban remains retired this week, shocking as that seems after Greg McElroy’s timely suggestion before the beginning of SEC Media Days.

If Saban returns to coaching, then apparently it’s only going to be in an advisory role.

One would assume he wouldn’t mind offering some insights about the SEC to the current Alabama coaching staff, considering Alabama is still paying its former coach, but it seems like Georgia is also benefitting from Saban’s retirement.

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart, one of Saban’s protégés, said at SEC Media Days that he bounces ideas off of his old boss from time to time.

“He and I still talk and share ideas from time to time about defensive philosophies and the way to do things,” Smart said. “And his brilliance, as brilliant as he is, is around football. I mean, it’s around scheme; it’s around another way to do something — to stay ahead of the offensive minds.

“And I think that’s one of the unique talents that he has, and he still loves that.”

What Saban doesn’t love is getting out-recruited by Texas and Ohio State because those schools can pay the players more than Alabama. That’s why he walked away from the game at the height of his considerable power.

Saban turns 74 years old this Halloween. Why can’t we just let the man enjoy his retirement? Is the itch still there? Sure, but Saban scratches it by talking football for ESPN on Saturdays.

College football continues to evolve beyond the Saban Era. If the GOAT wants to give back to the game that made him wealthy, and leave a lasting mark on the national stage in the process, then here’s a path worth considering.

Miss Terry isn’t about to let her husband return to the sidelines, but she would get behind this revolutionary idea. Here’s how Saban could save football for the next generation of dreamers and transform lives beyond football in the process.

Once again, the answer is follow the lead of the original Alabama GOAT, Paul Bryant.

Bryant created something special at Alabama that allowed his brilliance to live on long after he died. The Bear left us too soon. I wish I could have met him in person, but I have enjoyed getting to know several of the descendants of Bryant’s players who attended Alabama on full scholarship thanks to the coaching legend.

Before the pads and helmets begin cracking this August, I wanted to remind everyone that the spirit of college football can still inspire. When Bryant was coaching, he had a genius-level scheme. Saban should take that legacy and build upon, but on a regional or even national level.

Bryant couldn’t pay his players a revenue share, but what he did created one of the greatest stories in the history of college football. When he was a coach, Bryant spearheaded a scholarship fund at Alabama that paid for every child of a former player to attend the University of Alabama. The Bryant scholars are now legion. The total number of recipients is close to 1,000.

Now imagine that perpetuation on a national scale. That’s how college football and other sports can continue to value education, and create school spirit, in this era of pay-for-play and the transfer portal.

College football remains one of the great love affairs in the history of American sports, but something important is being lost along the way as it transitions from its traditional origins to professional sports.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey knows it.

Fans feel it.

It’s not the same.

The game might not be suffering financially, but it’s taking a hit on a cultural level. Anyone who says otherwise either works for corporate vampires ESPN and Fox Sports or is an attorney specializing in the destruction of the NCAA — turns out, there’s not much difference.

We don’t talk about this enough, but college football could be losing walk-ons in the very near future. The House vs. NCAA settlement allows for current walk-ons to remain on teams, but those spots on the roster will likely be going away. I hate that. Coaches hate that. It stinks, and it could be detrimental to the sport.

Did you know that walk-ons are the future alumni most likely to donate money back to their universities. As if they didn’t already give enough while they were in school, walk-ons oftentimes continue giving their entire lives.

Why? School spirit. Civic duty. Love. Pride. All those things that pay-for-play college sports are in danger of losing.

The House vs. NCAA settlement will allow for 105 scholarships per football team. Not all of those scholarship players will be making NIL riches, though. Some of those players will still be playing for school pride. What if those players could be rewarded for their loyalty?

Here’s the idea. Bryant had it first. Saban can use his influence to make it happen again.

If a player signs with a school as a freshman, plays three to five years and graduates (NO TRANSFERS!), then the future children of that loyal player would be eligible for scholarships to the university.

Imagine the possibilities.

In their stupidity, the NCAA ruled that descendent scholarships like the Bryant Fund were illegal inducements for players. Time to change that rule.

Time to make college football great again.

Start with the SEC. Let the Big Ten and everyone else play catch-up.

Saban is done coaching, but he can still innovate the game and champion education.

BE HEARD

Got a question for Joe? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe an email about what’s on your mind. Let your voice be heard. Ask him anything.

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of the book “We Want Bama: A Season of Hope and the Making of Nick Saban’s Ultimate Team.”