Lane Kiffin reacts to idea Nick Saban could return to coaching, adds to speculation on college, NFL jobs

Amid rumors about whether Nick Saban could return to coaching, Lane Kiffin heard them throughout the day at SEC Media Days. He also said he previously thought the Alabama legend would go back to the sidelines at some point – although he didn’t necessarily think it’d be in college.

The rumor mill ramped up in a big way Monday morning when former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy said he heard from a “person very much in the know” that Saban wasn’t done coaching yet. He retired from Alabama last year and worked on ESPN’s College GameDay, but was notably not on SEC Network’s panel of analysts for media days this year.

When asked about the idea of a potential Saban return, Kiffin said he had previously thought it could happen. However, he didn’t think it’d be in college. He thought Saban would return to the NFL.

“I did read that [McElroy] said that earlier today, and then they asked me a question and I’m like, ‘Yeah, he’s going to coach again. I don’t know if it’s college or NFL, but he’s gonna coach again.’ So he put that in my head and I repeated it. … But I have thought that,” Kiffin said on the SEC Network desk. “I thought it’d be probably one year in the media then back.

“And I kind of thought it might be the NFL, just because he’s so sharp still. I just saw something yesterday where he was doing some interview. He’s so sharp and has the process so nailed of how to do it that I almost see it as a waste that he’s not coaching.”

Kiffin and Saban have a unique relationship dating back to their time together at Alabama while Kiffin served as offensive coordinator. He continues to tout Saban as the GOAT on social media and has brought the phrase “rat poison” with him to Ole Miss amid three straight 10-win seasons.

McElroy brought up the idea during an interview on the show with Paul Finebaum on his radio show, McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, on Monday. He pointed out it was someone “notable” who told him they think Saban isn’t necessarily done coaching. In fact, he said the person was “adamant.”

“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 and have spent a lot of time around and just really, really admire,” McElroy said. “They seem to think Nick Saban’s not done coaching. I had a similar reaction. He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again. … Look, if it wasn’t someone notable, I’d never say a word.”

Saban retired as Alabama head coach after the 2023 season following a legendary 50-year coaching career. He won seven national championships – six of which came in Tuscaloosa – before walking away. He then spent 2024 with ESPN and won an Emmy for his performance on College GameDay.