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Chris Low reacts to Nick Saban return to coaching rumors, jokes Miss Terry 'would make that decision'

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•07/14/25•

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Nick Saban
Jerome Miron | Imagn Images

After former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy kickstarted the rumor mill around whether Nick Saban could return to coaching, it became one of the big stories at SEC Media Days. ESPN’s Chris Low, however, didn’t sound convinced.

Speaking with AL.com, Low said he’d have a hard time seeing Saban leave retirement and return to the sidelines. He also joked Miss Terry might have something to say about such a decision, but a comeback simply doesn’t sound likely at this point even though a “person very much in the know” told McElroy it could happen.

Low also said the NFL likely doesn’t appeal to Saban at this point even though Lane Kiffin speculated that’s where he could end up. Add in the ever-changing world of college football with revenue-sharing arriving, and Low doesn’t think there’s a fit for the legendary coach.

“I don’t see it,” Low said of the rumors. “I guess you never say never. Nick will be 74 this October. I think probably the person who would make that decision is Miss Terry. I don’t think Nick makes that decision. I’m being a little facetious there. When he walked away, it was hard for him to walk away because he loves coaching, he loves being in the locker room and being with the players. But when he made that decision to walk away, it was for good.

“I don’t ever see him getting back in the NFL. I know he’s not crazy about the climate right now in college football, in this era of rev-share, NIL, whatever you want to call it. Of course, it’ll change 10 times in the next year. Now, he’s great at adapting and great at evolving, as he proved his entire career. But I just don’t see any coaching horizons out there for him.”

Low – who broke the news of Nick Saban’s retirement in January 2024 – also pointed out how the legendary coach is keeping himself occupied in retirement. He’s been playing his share of golf and, of course, doing TV for ESPN’s College GameDay. That, Low said, helps Saban keep that competitive mindset.

” He’s a competitive guy. I know that,” Low said. “The thing I wondered – and I asked him, when he walked away – was, how are you going to fill your competitive fix? And he said, ‘Well, I can’t play enough golf.’

“I think doing TV has really helped him because he dives into prep for TV like he would for an opponent that week. I know he enjoys doing it. He’s really good at it, honestly. I don’t see it. I don’t see it happening.”