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Nick Saban's daughter on return to coaching rumor: 'He's not coming back'

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby: Charlie Potter07/17/25Charlie_Potter
Nick Saban and daughter Kristen
Nick Saban and daughter Kristen (Gary Cosby Jr. / Imagn Images)

Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy made headlines on Monday, the first day of 2025 SEC Football Media Days, by suggesting Nick Saban could potentially return to coaching.

“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 – they seem to think Nick Saban is not done coaching,” said McElroy on WJOX FM. “He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again.”

However, Saban’s daughter, Kristen, shared her thoughts via an Instagram story on Thursday.

“he’s not coming back to coaching, hate to break it to you 😂 you had your time.”

McElroy has since tried to walk back his comments, whether on the set of SEC Now or during interviews with various outlets. But his initial quote blew up and was the talk of media days, with coaches like Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart and Kalen DeBoer being asked about the rumor.

Saban announced his retirement last January after 17 seasons at Alabama. He compiled a 297-71-1 record as a college coach and claimed seven national championships (six at UA), 11 conference championships and 23 of his teams will have played in bowl games.

DeBoer was hired as Saban’s replacement on January 10 and introduced on January 12. Over a year and a half at the helm of the storied college football program, the new Crimson Tide coach is still being asked about Saban. In Atlanta on Wednesday, DeBoer gave his thoughts.

“He’s one of the greatest to ever do it,” DeBoer said of Saban. “So, he’s earned the right to do what he wants. I think the best part about what Coach Saban’s doing right now is that he’s still involved in the game. He’s growing the game. He brings passion to it. 

“I enjoy, when I get moments, on a Saturday morning, maybe we’ve got a night game, flipping on the TV and seeing not just him but the whole group, GameDay, with all the different ways they break things down. Having a chance to see him once in a while, you can just feel that he still has that love for the game. 

“And I think that my sense is that he’s enjoyed doing it for the capacity he’s doing it right now. But I think everyone who is close to him and from a fanbase standpoint can’t help but want him to be happy doing whatever he wants to do.”

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