Nick Saban’s retirement never felt permanent, and now even former players are saying it out loud. Greg McElroy said on July 14 that he expects Saban to return to football. That sounded like a warning to the college football world.
Saban is 74, still sharp, and still living in Tuscaloosa. He may have thought his College GameDay stint may have been enough to scratch the itch, but the rumors about him getting back into the game on the sidelines are back.
The roles being floated range from front-office positions in the NFL to special advisor jobs at places like LSU or West Virginia. And a head coaching return to Bama isn’t out of the question either.
Nick Saban’s Next Job: Betting Odds and Probabilities
| Role | Team | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Advisor / Director of Football | Alabama | +150 | 40.0% |
| Head Coach | Alabama | +600 | 14.3% |
| Athletic Department Consultant | Alabama | +700 | 12.5% |
| Special Advisor / Football Ops | LSU | +700 | 12.5% |
| Head Coach | LSU | +800 | 11.1% |
| NFL Front Office Role (Advisor or EVP) | Dallas Cowboys | +900 | 10.0% |
| Special Advisor / Football Ops | West Virginia | +1200 | 7.7% |
| Head Coach | West Virginia | +1800 | 5.3% |
| Head Coach | Texas A&M | +2000 | 4.8% |
| Special Advisor | Notre Dame | +2000 | 4.8% |
*Odds are for entertainment purposes only
Why Alabama Still Leads the List for Saban’s Next Role
Saban built and rewired Alabama’s program from the inside out. That’s why the most likely scenario remains a formal return to Tuscaloosa in a non-coaching role. Whether it’s titled “Special Advisor” or “Director of Football,” it’s the same function: he runs the machine behind the scenes.
He’s still close with the program. And if Alabama continues to struggle under Kalen DeBoer, the conversation about a coaching return is going to get loud fast.
At +150, the odds say a return to Bama in some capacity is the most likely outcome.
Could Saban Head To LSU?
If there’s a dark horse with real buzz, it’s LSU. The rumors won’t die. Baton Rouge still reveres him for the 2003 title. Brian Kelly hasn’t quite bombed, but expectations are sky high and the booster class is always restless. Kelly’s buyout could be an issue, as it would be around $51 million in November 2025 if the Tigers choose to go that route.
He wouldn’t even have to coach. A special advisor role at LSU makes sense if the administration wants stability and recruiting power while plotting the next long-term move. If he did decide to coach again, the Tigers would back up the truck to make it happen.
Are The Cowboys an Option for Saban?
Jerry Jones loves splash moves. With Brian Schottenheimer newly in charge, he wouldn’t coach, but he could run personnel, scouting, and culture. It’s more realistic than people think. Saban even went on record earlier this year supporting Deion Sanders as a candidate for the job. That means he’s watching.
Other College Fits That Can’t Be Ruled Out
- West Virginia: Hometown appeal, but they just hired a GM and Rich Rodriguez is aslo a new hire. Still, an advisor gig would make sense.
- Texas A&M: They’ll throw money at anything. If Elko slips, Saban rumors will fly again.
- Notre Dame: Academic prestige matches his background. If Marcus Freeman underperforms again, they could make a quiet inquiry.
Where Will Saban Go?
This isn’t just media noise anymore. Greg McElroy doesn’t say he expects Saban to return unless he’s heard something real. Whether it’s Alabama, LSU, or Dallas, the job won’t look like what Saban did for 15 years. But it’ll still shape the game. The only question is who gets him, and who regrets not making the call.
