The good news for Nick Saban’s fans is that he’s back! But not as a coach this time. The 72-year-old will be joining ESPN, which comes as no surprise given his prolific coaching career and the legacy he left behind in college football. 

It surely wasn’t the last we would hear of the 2x AP College Football Coach of the Year when he retired from Alabama as the head coach. After all, as the winningest college football head coach with seven national titles under his belt, there had always been a high probability that he would make an epic comeback. 

ESPN has welcomed Nick Saban as “an analyst on the set of College GameDay.” Saban’s primary role is an analyst on the set of ESPN’s prestigious weekly college football roadshow College GameDay Built by The Home Depot for both regular and postseason editions. But that’s not all. He’ll also “appear on the NFL Draft and SEC Media Days coverage.”

Nick Saban is no stranger to College GameDay with several appearances made over the years. He will join host Rece Davis, analysts including Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herbstreit, and college football insider Pete Thamel. The 11x SEC winning coach said, “ESPN and College GameDay have played such an important role in the growth of college football, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to join their team. I’ll do my best to offer additional insights and perspectives to contribute to College GameDay, the ultimate Saturday tradition for college football fans.” More details about his new role are to follow. 

Nick Saban and ESPN – A combo set to thrive

Looking at Nick Saban and ESPN’s collaboration, it’s like the best met each other. Nick Saban is unrivaled in college football with a head coaching record of 292-71-1. Chairman Jimmy Pitaro of ESPN said, “Nick Saban is a singular, iconic presence in college football. He is also an extremely gifted communicator, who will immediately add even more credibility, authority and entertainment value to ESPN, including our esteemed College GameDay show.”

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As for ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot, it is the second most-watched season since 2011. It’s also the fourth-best all-time, completing 37 seasons in 2023. With Nick Saban at the forefront, hopefully, even better things are coming.

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