Lane Kiffin, current Ole Miss head coach and longtime admirer of Nick Saban, believes the legendary coach may not be done just yet. Despite announcing his retirement, Saban hasn’t explicitly ruled out a return to coaching. His recent appearance on Fox News did little to shut the door, leaving room for speculation. Kiffin’s comment adds fuel to the fire, given his history under Saban and understanding of the coach’s competitive drive.
Saban Jokes About Coaching Return but Leaves Door Open for Future Opportunities
When asked directly if he’d ever coach again, Saban sidestepped a definitive answer. He shared a lighthearted anecdote about considering coaching again while doing household chores, specifically, vacuuming at the request of his wife, Miss Terry.
Although meant as a joke, the story hinted that coaching might still hold appeal when compared to mundane domestic tasks. Yet, he once again avoided a clear “never again” statement regarding a return to the sidelines.
Nick Saban (NFL)Despite stating, “There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would enable me to go back to coaching,” Saban left room for interpretation. The use of “right now” and “enhance” (likely meant to be “entice”) suggests a temporary stance rather than a permanent decision. This vague position keeps the door slightly ajar for possible future opportunities, especially if the right circumstances emerge.
Could Nick Saban Return to the NFL and Rewrite His Unfinished Professional Coaching Legacy?
Saban’s previous NFL stint with the Miami Dolphins was far from successful. His two-year tenure was marred by poor results and personal dissatisfaction. One major misstep still haunts his legacy, passing on signing Drew Brees. However, there’s speculation that with the right quarterback, like Arch Manning in Cleveland, Saban might be tempted to take one more shot in the pros to settle unfinished business.
Nick Saban is widely regarded as the greatest college football coach of all time, a title that overshadows his middling NFL résumé. Still, many wonder if he might be drawn to return, perhaps driven by the desire to correct that one blemish. With Kiffin speculating publicly and Saban leaving his options open, the football world will be watching closely to see if the coaching legend truly hangs up his whistle or if there’s one more chapter to come.
