Will Nick Saban go to ESPN? 'College GameDay' a possible next step toward TV career for retired Alabama coach

Emily Dozier

•
Will Nick Saban go to ESPN? 'College GameDay' a possible next step toward TV career for retired Alabama coach image

Love him or hate him, it doesn't get much better than Nick Saban.

The Alabama coach has officially retired after 17 years with the program. His full resume spans over 50 years, and his list of accomplishments seems twice as long. He leaves with the most national titles (seven) ever won by a single coach.

That leaves a few questions. Who will take over the Tide program? What's the next stop for Saban? The latter may not be answered for a few weeks, or even months, but that doesn't slow speculation as the football world mourns the retirement of the great.

MORE: Five names to watch as Alabama looks to replace Nick Saban

While Saban could very well just fade away from the limelight, it seems more likely he'll find a way to stay involved with the game, and ESPN looks like it could be the next stop for the Alabama legend.

Will Nick Saban go to ESPN?

According to Front Office Sports, Saban is being highly sought-after by ESPN's "College GameDay" as a "perfect" complement to Lee Corso. The 88-year-old is known for his headgear selection and has been on the show since it began in 1987. The analyst isn't being pushed out for a new face, as he's been told to stay on the show as long as he wants, per the FOS report.

That doesn't mean ESPN isn't looking for a new and iconic successor, and Saban already has plenty of history with the network. 

Saban makes regular appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show", and McAfee has been part of the "College GameDay" crew since 2022.

MORE: Why is Nick Saban retiring?

With the coach's future after Alabama uncertain, his connections with ESPN leave little to the imagination.

A coach's journey from college to a television analyst is nothing new. Urban Meyer works with Fox Sports' "Big Noon Kickoff" while Dan Mullen and Herm Edwards have joined ESPN since leaving the college game. 

Emily Dozier

Emily Dozier Photo

Emily Dozier is a live events and lifestyle writer at The Sporting News, covering everything from sporting events and music festivals to broadway shows and stand-up comedy. Based out of New York, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When not covering the SN tickets beat, Emily enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Prior to joining The Sporting News in 2023, Emily covered the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Associated Press.