Nick Saban is technically retired, meaning he’s no longer on the sidelines coaching college football games.
That doesn’t mean Saban won’t be working this fall when college football officially kicks off, though, as he begins his role as an analyst for ESPN’s “College GameDay.” In fact, depending on your perspective, he might be working just as much now that he’s a member of the media. The 24/7 news cycle never stops, after all.
It’s a different gig — providing analysis rather than roaming the sideline — but it’s worth noting that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who knows Saban better than most, thinks the seven-time national champion will be a natural on the television.
“I think he’s going to do great, man,” Sarkisian said on the “The Dan Patrick Show” on Monday (h/t On3). “I’ve seen him a few times, and I saw him obviously at SEC Media Days. I watched him covering the NFL Draft. He’s so knowledgeable. And he’s got so much more personality than people probably give him credit for, but his insight is really incredible. I could sit there and listen to him all day.”
Saban obviously knows the game, but Sarkisian is right; when he’s not actually prepping a team for the week ahead, he can actually be pretty charming.
The combination of championship experience, player evaluation and public speaking (he was an elite recruiter, remember) could make Saban a five-star analyst.
“I think fans are really going to gravitate to wanting to hear him speak on games and strategy and different things that come up with the ball games,” Sarkisian said.
