Nick Saban doubles down on rumors about returning to coaching, claims Miss Terry 'wouldn't let me do it'

This offseason, Nick Saban repeatedly learned he was being name-dropped in connection with multiple social media rumors regarding everything from presidential commissions to future head coach openings.

Unfortunately for the 73-year-old former Alabama head coach, he usually heard about these opportunities from his wife, known affectionately as Miss Terry. And each time she brought up a new rumor, it was often with a tinge of frustration about not hearing about it from her husband first.

That was especially true when former Alabama quarterback-turned-ESPN analyst Greg McElroy revealed speculation that the seven-time national champion coach was considering a return to coaching on the first day of SEC Media Days in Atlanta. For his part, Saban has repeatedly shot that speculation down.

“You know what, that came out of nowhere. I mean, Miss Terry said: ‘Where did that come from?’” Saban said Friday on The Pat McAfee Show. “She wouldn’t let me do it, No. 1, I never thought about doing it, No. 2, and I don’t know how somebody could just come up with this out of thin air.”

As mentioned, this wasn’t the first time Saban’s better half brought rumors regarding her own husband to his attention. Earlier this year, Saban’s name was repeatedly tossed around for a yet-to-be-created role as the commissioner of college football. Saban once again shot down any suggestion he’d be interested in such a revolutionary position of power over the game in a visit with the AP.

After meeting prior to President Donald Trump‘s commencement speech at Alabama in May, Trump named Saban as a co-chair to a now-defunct presidential commission to address college sports issues like NIL and the NCAA Transfer Portal. That opportunity was far more tangible than the return to coaching rumor, but it never quite materialized due to a lack of any concrete plan of action.

“I didn’t know anything about that either, and Miss Terry saw it on, I don’t know, the internet somewhere, and she said: ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this?’” Saban said. “Tell you about what? I didn’t know anything about it.”

Nick Saban reveals what would lead him to joining a commission on college sports

During a guest appearance on Friday’s edition of The Pat McAfee Show, Saban addressed the rumors about participating in a future potential presidential commission to address college athletics. He actually revealed that he would be a part of such an entity if it were to be created in the near future.

“I’m very much committed to (college football) in every way,” Saban said. “I would be a part of a commission if it was a real commission created by a government that was actually going to enforce some rules and regulations and guidelines that would help the game and promote the players and the game.

“I’m all for players making money, but you need some guidelines relative to competition and creating some parity in the league. Every competitive venue has it. I’m all for players, but I’m really all for college football. There’s so much enthusiasm and so much interest in college football. It’s still pure in a way and sometimes we can’t let that purity sort of leave what it’s always been.”

— On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this report.