AJ McCarron Suggests Nick Saban Could Return to Coach Texas Longhorns Over Alabama Sparking Intense College Football Speculation Again
In the ever-churning world of college football speculation, few names command more attention than Nick Saban. Despite retiring from coaching in January 2024, the legendary former Alabama head coach remains a central figure in nearly every conversation about program success, leadership, and the shifting landscape of the sport. Now, that speculation has caught fire again — not because of something Saban himself said, but due to comments made by two of his most prominent former quarterbacks. AJ McCarron recently suggested that if Saban were ever to return to coaching, it wouldn’t be for Alabama — it would be for Texas. That bombshell came shortly after Greg McElroy, another former Crimson Tide quarterback turned analyst, floated the idea that Saban’s retirement might not be as final as people think.
The idea of Saban returning to college football — and not to Alabama — sounds almost heretical on the surface. After all, the man is synonymous with Crimson Tide dominance, having built one of the greatest dynasties in the sport’s history in Tuscaloosa. Seven national championships, multiple Heisman winners, and a legacy of unmatched recruiting and development make him arguably the most successful college coach of all time. But time, emotion, and context have a way of reframing the present. And according to McCarron, the Texas Longhorns might be the only program with the right combination of allure, power, and infrastructure to coax Saban back to the sideline.
McCarron’s comments, made during a national radio appearance, quickly went viral. “If Coach Saban ever came back, it wouldn’t be for Alabama. He already did everything there,” McCarron said. “Texas is the kind of place that might intrigue him. Huge brand, big resources, and he’s always respected the state of Texas and what it means in football.” Those words, though speculative, carried weight because they came from someone who knows Saban as well as anyone outside his immediate family. McCarron, who won two national titles under Saban and spent years immersed in his leadership style, understands the mindset of a coach who is never truly done competing.
What makes McCarron’s comments even more compelling is how they align with recent rumblings from McElroy, who said earlier this summer that he “wouldn’t be shocked” if Saban reemerged in some capacity — particularly if a unique opportunity presented itself. While McElroy didn’t name Texas specifically, his implication was clear: Saban may not be finished with football altogether, especially if the right situation came along. And few programs offer a more intriguing “right situation” than the Longhorns.
Texas, now fully immersed in its SEC era, is one of the most ambitious and resource-rich programs in the country. After a decade of underachievement, the Longhorns are finally trending upward under Steve Sarkisian — another Saban disciple — and are building a roster capable of competing for national championships. But college football is a results-driven business. If Sarkisian fails to deliver over the next year or two, there will be immense pressure from boosters, alumni, and fans to bring in a transcendent figure to push Texas over the top. In that scenario, if Nick Saban’s name is even remotely available, the whispers will become roars.
The idea of Saban coaching Texas is fascinating for many reasons beyond just prestige. First, there’s history. In 2013, Texas reportedly made a serious attempt to lure Saban away from Alabama, offering him one of the richest contracts in coaching history. Though Saban ultimately stayed put and denied serious interest, many close to the situation believe he was intrigued by the challenge. At the time, Texas was searching for an identity post-Mack Brown and saw Saban as the ultimate fixer. The timing didn’t work then — Alabama was still in its peak — but the Longhorns have never fully let go of that dream.
Second, there’s the strategic fit. Texas has all the pieces a coach like Saban would demand: elite facilities, a passionate fanbase, recruiting dominance in one of the most talent-rich states, and access to the SEC’s national stage. Moreover, the NIL era has ushered in a new kind of college football — one where institutional support, marketing muscle, and organizational clarity matter as much as scheme. Texas is one of the few programs that checks every box. If Saban wanted a fresh mountain to climb — a new legacy to build — Austin would be an ideal setting.
Of course, all of this is still speculative. Saban, now well into his seventies, has given no public indication that he wants to coach again. He has settled into a media role with ESPN, offering analysis on Saturday broadcasts and providing insight that only a former legend can give. By all appearances, he is enjoying retirement and the freedom that comes with it. Yet those who know Saban best — McCarron and McElroy among them — hint that the fire may still be burning. That competitiveness doesn’t just disappear overnight, and for a man who once said “there’s no next chapter, just the next challenge,” it’s hard to imagine him staying quiet forever.
What complicates matters further is the current trajectory of both Alabama and Texas. Alabama has begun its post-Saban era under Kalen DeBoer, a respected and proven winner who brings a very different style and personality to the job. If DeBoer succeeds, the idea of Saban returning to Tuscaloosa becomes unlikely and potentially disruptive. Meanwhile, Texas is still in the midst of proving that its resurgence is sustainable. Steve Sarkisian has had success, but a few missteps could quickly reopen the door to major changes — especially if national titles remain elusive.
From the outside, it might seem like wild rumor-spinning. But in the college football world, these kinds of speculations are part of the fabric of the sport. They shape narratives, influence recruiting, and stir debate on talk shows and message boards. The idea of Saban at Texas is not just about coaching logistics — it’s about legacy. Could the most decorated coach of the modern era take on a sleeping giant, wake it up, and ride off with one final chapter of dominance? It sounds like the plot of a sports movie, but so did his original run at Alabama.
There’s also the personality fit to consider. Texas has long been labeled a difficult place to coach because of the outsized influence of boosters, politics, and expectations. But Saban has navigated similar environments at Alabama, where the pressure to win is relentless and the external noise never stops. If anything, he thrives in that chaos. His control-oriented approach and track record of success could bring the kind of order and alignment Texas has long lacked. It’s not hard to imagine Saban commanding instant respect in Austin, reshaping the culture, and turning the Longhorns into a juggernaut — quickly.
The question, then, becomes not whether Saban could succeed at Texas, but whether he wants to. Only he knows the answer. Perhaps retirement has truly brought him peace. Perhaps he’s found joy in watching the game from a distance. But if there’s a spark left — if there’s a scenario where he feels the pull of one last ride — Texas might be the one program with enough gravity to pull him back in.
Until then, the speculation will continue. McCarron’s comments won’t be forgotten, especially if Texas hits a rough patch or if Saban starts dropping more cryptic remarks during his media appearances. College football lives for this kind of drama — the “what ifs,” the legacy debates, the coaching carousel rumors. In a sport that thrives on passion and projection, the idea of Nick Saban prowling the sidelines in burnt orange is almost too compelling to ignore.
For now, Sarkisian remains firmly in control in Austin, and DeBoer is settling in at Alabama. Both coaches are focused on the season ahead, not on hypotheticals. But the shadow of Saban still looms large over the sport. And as long as that shadow exists, even the wildest ideas — like Saban leading Texas — will never be fully off the table.
