One program is at the center of the rumors about Nick Saban’s return to coaching. Yeah, it’s the same one he once turned into a national powerhouse. Other than that, Penn State and Florida have both found themselves in the middle of a wild coaching carousel. And guess what? The name Nick Saban has popped up in every conversation. The idea makes perfect sense if you think about it. Saban’s track record of building championship powerhouses, his recruiting pull, and his ability to handle pressure would be a perfect fit for either school.

But SEC spokesperson Paul Finebaum, in a chat with Rich Eisen, leaned into this, saying LSU might be the only college program Saban would even consider talking to about coming back. Brian Kelly’s firing was a messy, dramatic end. The Tigers carried a steady momentum with a 4-0 start in 2025. But then lost three of their next four games, including a brutal 49-25 blowout to Texas A&M that left fans furious and chanting “Fire Kelly!” in Tiger Stadium. So, the program has started to get a bit nostalgic about its former HC.

“Nick Saban wouldn’t talk to Penn State. He wouldn’t talk to Florida,” Finebaum said on the Rich Eisen show. “But I think he would talk to LSU at least to see what they have to offer. And by the way, sometimes you can come back and make an offer that even a man who will be 74 years old on Friday night on Halloween might consider.” As per the SEC Network/ESPN analyst, out of Penn State, Florida, and LSU, Saban would only have a conversation with the Tigers.

Let’s get to the heart of it. Saban had spent five successful seasons at LSU. His 2000 squad went 8–4, capped by a Peach Bowl win over Georgia Tech. Then came 2001, and Saban’s Tigers roared to life, finishing 10–3. They won the SEC Championship by beating Tennessee. The Tigers capped it off with a Sugar Bowl victory over Illinois, their first since 1968.

The 2003 season was truly iconic. After a sluggish loss to Florida early on, LSU didn’t lose again all regular season, winning the SEC West and smashing Georgia in the SEC title game. Saban’s Tigers then faced the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl. LSU won 21–14, clinching the national title and setting a new standard with 13 wins. Lastly, the 2004 season ended with a solid 9-3 record. So with a resume like that in Baton Rouge, it’s only fair for Saban to fit in like the most important piece of the puzzle. After that, Saban tried his hand with the pros. The reason? He was fed up with all the NIL drama and constant transfer portal chaos.

But his decision to leave LSU for the Miami Dolphins was a big mistake altogether, and Saban knows that. “When I left LSU, that was probably professionally the biggest mistake that I ever made,” Saban said. “Not because we didn’t have success in Miami…..But I found out in that experience that I like coaching in college better because you can develop players.” In his two seasons with the Dolphins, Saban went 15–17 overall, finishing his last year with a 6–10 record. So it’s not like he had a failed season, just the environment change didn’t really suit him.

Saban shared a revealing story about his agent Jimmy Sexton, who questioned his decision to leave LSU for Miami. Sexton inquired if Saban wanted to be like Vince Lombardi or Bear Bryant, two coaching legends. Saban said he wanted to be Bear Bryant. But then he chose the Dolphins. And then after two years, Saban entered the college scene again, but this time with Alabama. The result? Over 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, he racked up a 201–29 record, winning nine SEC titles and six national championships. Right at this point, LSU needs Saban more than anyone, and the 73-year-old might just walk back into Death Valley with the emotional connection in play.

Death Valley is drooling over Nick Saban’s return

LSU is fully ready to lure the GOAT back into Baton Rouge. Now, a couple of days back, Saban’s daughter, Kristen Saban, recently blasted rumors of her dad returning to LSU, calling those speculations “literally brain dead” on her Instagram story. But the Tigers are desperate to find a new head coach after firing Brian Kelly. The connection between Saban and LSU runs deep. Before he became Alabama’s coaching legend, Saban was the man who revived LSU football in the early 2000s.

The culture he built still echoes through Death Valley, and the program hasn’t forgotten its architect. NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay stirred the pot by saying LSU’s offer might make Saban and his wife, Miss Terry, reconsider their contentment with broadcasting. Saban currently makes about $500,000 annually with Alabama in an advisory role, plus a lucrative, though undisclosed, paycheck at ESPN’s College GameDay desk. Thus, money alone might not tempt Saban.

But the emotional pull and challenge from a familiar and beloved program like LSU could be the difference. But as a matter of fact, Saban is enjoying his retired life. “I wanna stay retired.” He further added, “No way, I have so much fun working with you. Why would I go do that?” Meanwhile, LSU’s other rumored choice, Lane Kiffin. And he seems to already have his family’s backing, with his daughter publicly repping LSU colors.