ATLANTA − Nick Saban is not at SEC media days representing Alabama football . But Saban still has a storyline.
Greg McElroy , a former Alabama quarterback who hosts a radio show on WJOX, said July 14 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." Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin echoed the prediction later saying "I don't think he's done."
In his appearance at SEC media days July 16, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer didn't give a definitive answer as to what Saban's next step could be. Instead, DeBoer highlighted that Saban can do what Saban wants to do.
"He's one of the greatest to ever do it," DeBoer said. "So he's earned the right to do what he wants. I think the best part of what coach Saban is doing right now is he's still involved in the game. He's growing the game."
DeBoer said he enjoys the "moments on Saturday morning before a night game" where he can watch Saban as an analyst on ESPN's "College GameDay. And in occasional moments with the legendary Alabama coach, DeBoer said "you can just feel that he still has that love for the game."
"I think that, my sense is that he's enjoyed doing it in the capacity he's doing it in right now... I know from the fan base standpoint, you can't help but want him to be happy and do whatever he wants to do," DeBoer said.
Alabama football opens its 2025 season against Florida State Aug. 30.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Does Kalen DeBoer think Nick Saban will return to college football coaching?
