Somehow, even without coaching Alabama football or attending as an ESPN analyst, Nick Saban found a way to become the top story at SEC media days. When former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy said during his WJOX radio show that someone “in the know” told him that Saban might return to coaching, it became a bigger deal than even McElroy seemed to want.

Alabama fans had to wait until Wednesday to hear Saban replacement Kalen DeBoer’s thoughts on the matter. DeBoer was asked in Atlanta if he had anything to say about a potential return to the game by his predecessor.

“I mean, he’s one of the greatest to ever do it, and so he’s earned the right to do what he wants,” DeBoer said. “I think the best thing about coach Saban now is that he’s still involved in the game. He’s growing the game, he brings passion to it.”

Saban retired from Alabama in January of 2024. He quickly took a job on the desk of ESPN’s College Gameday pregame show, winning an Emmy for his contributions during the 2024 season.

DeBoer said he enjoyed watching Saban on Gameday when he was able, and seeing the retired coach in person from time to time.

“He still has that love for the game,” DeBoer said. “I think that, my sense is that he’s enjoying doing it in the capacity he’s doing it right now, but I know everyone that’s close to him from the fan base standpoint, can’t help but want him to be happy doing whatever he wants to do.”

McElroy doubted his source as to whether Saban would return to the game, but reported the news all the same on Monday.

“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 of his former coach. “He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again.”

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who worked as offensive coordinator for Saban at Alabama, said it wouldn’t surprise him if the 73-year-old coach returned. Georgia’s Kirby Smart, another ex-Saban assistant, called it “scuttlebutt” and suggested that the rumors were simply filling a need for news at media days.