Nick Saban finally responded to a former Alabama quarterback speculating the legendary coach would come out of retirement ahead of the 2026 season, and his remarks Monday night were entirely on brand.

Former Tide quarterback Greg McElroy, the starter for Saban’s 2009 national title team, fired up the rumor mill before Southeastern Conference Media Days with a strong suggestion Saban would coach after this upcoming season. McElroy has worked as an analyst for SEC Network and ESPN.

“You know, I don’t know where that came from,” Saban said at the Nick Saban Legacy Awards on Monday night. “Greg McElroy played quarterback for us. And if he’d had done something like that when he was a player, he would have got his ass kicked.”

McElroy has since said he stands by the comment and trusts his original source that Saban would return to coaching for the right opportunity.

Saban retired in January 2024 and was replaced by Kalen DeBoer, who begins his second season as Crimson Tide head coach with a marquee opener against Florida State next week.

Saban returns to ESPN as a college football analyst this season. He said in July he was enjoying retirement from coaching.

The 73-year-old Saban won seven national titles — six with Alabama, one with LSU.

“There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would entice me to go back to coaching,” Saban said in an interview with Fox this summer. “I enjoy what I’m doing. I did it for 50 years. I loved it. I loved the relationship with the players. I loved the competition. But, you know, it’s another station of life now.”

–Field Level Media