As a prelude to SEC Media Days, a wild Nick Saban rumor surfaced on Monday. It came from former Alabama Football quarterback Greg McElroy, who mentioned an anonymous source who believes that Saban is not done with coaching. McElroy added that the source is an "in the know" college football personality. McElroy's shocking comment came on Mac and Cube in the Morning, with Paul Finebaum taking part.
Paul Finebaum quickly chimed in that he does not believe the rumor is true. Logically, the Finebaum response is more likely correct than the rumor having any credence. Why would the 'Greatest College Football Coach' of all time choose a return to coaching college football? So far, the Bill Belichick experiment at North Carolina has appeared risky, even without the appendage of a young, too-engaged significant other. And speaking of significant others, a guess is that there is not a 1% chance that Miss Terry would bless Nick returning to coaching.
The rumor would make more sense if Saban needed something to do. The opposite is true. Along with his expanding automotive dealer empire, Nick appears to relish his ESPN role that won him a recent Emmy.
Before retiring, Saban was often asked about when his coaching career would end. His consistent answer was when he felt that he could no longer contribute to molding and leading a championship-quality team. Bear Bryant coined the phrase "I ain't nothing but a winner," but the description was equally fitting for Saban. An attempted return to college football glory might fall far short of Saban's unwavering standards.
One somewhat plausible option is that Saban might consider a coaching return as an NFL head coach. No doubt, something in him would like to prove that his lack of success with the Dolphins did not mean he could not excel in the NFL. Plus, unlike college football, the NFL's salary cap would be a welcome relief to college football's roster-building madness.
As it is said; never say never. Maybe Nick Saban does have a strong enough itch that there is some basis to the rumor.