After missing all of last season with health issues that led to a cancer diagnosis, Alabama football play-by-play broadcaster Eli Gold will be back in the booth for the 2023 campaign. Gold said in June that he’s cancer-free and looking forward to the season.

On Wednesday, head coach Nick Saban said he’s excited to have Gold back on the air.

“I love Eli,” Saban said. “He’s been with us for a long time, he’s kind of part of the tradition around here in terms of the expectation of being the voice of the Crimson Tide Network in a lot of ways, whether it’s the radio show or whatever it is. I’m just happy for him and his family that he’s getting healthier.”

Gold has been the voice of Alabama football since 1988. He announced a leave of absence ahead of the 2022 season, with Chris Stewart filling in for him since then.

The last game he called was in January of 2022, the Crimson Tide’s national championship game loss to Georgia. He was later diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer and went through chemotherapy.

Gold said in July that he’ll be working to get himself back by doing unaired calls of the Crimson Tide’s scrimmages in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Saban said the Crimson Tide is fully behind Gold on the road to recovery.

“He’s able to get around and he’s gonna be able to get back and do what he loves doing,” Saban said. “We’re going to do everything that we can to support him, even though it might not be 100% full throttle, we’re sort of working him back into it, but I’m excited to have him back because I love working with him.”

Alabama’s preseason camp is scheduled to run through Aug. 26. The Crimson Tide opens the season on Sept. 2 against Middle Middle Tennessee State.