Nick Saban walked away from college football in 2024 after nearly three decades of dominance, but the whispers about a potential comeback are growing louder as the 2025 season approaches.
What started as idle offseason chatter has now escalated into a full-fledged storyline, and at the center of it all is Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
While Saban ended his coaching career with seven national titles and a staggering 81 percent win rate, his retirement may have been more of a pause than a farewell.
Following Alabama’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, Saban cited the rapidly shifting college football landscape as a key reason for stepping down. But with camps opening and expectations rising, some insiders believe the 72-year-old coach could be eyeing one more run.
Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy fueled speculation during SEC Media Days in Atlanta when he referenced a source close to Saban.
“This is a little bit out of left field, but the question was asked of me… a very much in the know person that I have a lot of respect for… they seem to think Nick Saban‘s not done coaching,” McElroy revealed. “He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again… If it wasn’t someone notable, I’d never say a word.”
NFL connections and Arch Manning tie Saban to potential comeback
Though McElroy didn’t name a specific destination, the idea of Saban returning to the NFL has gained traction, thanks in part to the growing star power of Arch Manning. FOX Sports host Colin Cowherd took the speculation a step further, calling it “the worst-kept secret in the South.”
On his show The Herd, Cowherd pointed to influential connections as potential catalysts for a Saban return. “Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Browns and huge SEC/Tennessee booster, leans heavily on the Manning family. He’s very close to the Manning family. That’s not make-believe,” Cowherd said.
He went on to connect the dots between Saban, Haslam, and the Mannings. “Saban is incredibly close to not only Jimmy Haslam, but Saban‘s close to the Manning family as well,” Cowherd explained. “So Saban, if he could land I’m told a top quarterback… would take a phone call for the NFL.”
Two teams were floated as possible destinations: the Cleveland Browns, where Saban once coached under Bill Belichick, and the New Orleans Saints, located just down the road from his LSU glory days. Both cities have ties to Saban, and either could become viable landing spots, especially if Manning emerges as a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite the buzz, not everyone is convinced. Saban‘s daughter tried to shut down the conversation earlier this summer, posting on social media: “He’s not coming back to coaching, hate to break it to you.”
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