Sportsnaut
Nick Saban claimed this week he doesn’t expect to end his coaching retirement anytime soon. However, his response also kept the door wide open to becoming the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants in 2026.
Earlier this month, former Alabama star QB Greg McElroy created a huge amount of speculation when he dropped a bombshell about Saban potentially returning to the sidelines.
Related: 7 Bold Nick Saban Landing Spots Following Recent Return Rumors
“A very much in-the-know person that I have a lot of respect for and have spent a lot of time around, and just really, really admire — they seem to think Nick Saban is not done coaching,” McElroy claimed. “He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again.”
In the days since, there has been a lot of talk about where the 73-year-old could take his talents after retiring last year. Some around college football believe that if he did return, it would be in the NFL.
The Giants are one team often mentioned with head coach Brian Daboll competing for his job this year. The Cowboys have also been name-dropped, since owner Jerry Jones is always interested in splashy hirings and is feeling the pressure to get the team back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1990s.
During a conversation with FOX News this week, Saban responded to the recent rumors with an answer that won’t quell the speculation.
“There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would convince me to go back to coaching,” Saban said.
The legendary Alabama coach added that he enjoys his media work with ESPN and the extra time he now gets with his family and friends. However, the keywords in his response are “opportunity that I know of right now.”
He could have easily said he has zero interest in coaching ever again. He is too old for the work, and the industry has passed him by. But he didn’t. Instead, he just said no opportunity that he knows of at the moment. Well, neither the Giants nor the Cowboys’ head coach jobs are currently open. So he isn’t wrong.
However, both could be available early next year. If Daboll does not turn New York into a competitive team, he will be ousted. As for new Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, having Jones as his boss in an era where one-and-done coaching tenures are becoming more frequent means his job is far from safe. Both franchises would give Saban a call at the very least to gauge his interest if they disappoint in 2025.
Related: Urban Meyer adds fuel to speculation of Nick Saban to Cowboys or Giants in 2026
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