As a vacancy for a college football head coach arises, Nick Saban is trending.

When a major head coaching vacancy emerges in the sport, the internet has a predictable reaction: bring up the GOAT. And that’s exactly what’s happening again. As [insert school, e.g., Florida or Texas A&M] parts ways with its head football coach, social media is ablaze with speculation, hope, jokes—and even some genuine belief—that Nick Saban might not be finished with coaching just yet.

It’s a phenomenon that’s repeated itself multiple times since Saban announced his retirement from Alabama in January 2024. Despite naming Kalen DeBoer as his successor and leaving behind what most consider the greatest coaching legacy in college football history, Saban has never truly faded from the public consciousness. Now, in the wake of this new vacancy, #Saban is trending once more.

And some fans—maybe many—aren’t entirely joking.

A Coaching Icon Fans Refuse to Let Go

Nick Saban’s coaching resume is unmatched. Seven national championships (six with Alabama, one with LSU), 292 wins, a reputation as a relentless recruiter, and a developer of elite talent—both on the field and in his coaching tree. He didn’t just win; he dominated. He redefined what it meant to build a college football dynasty in the 21st century.

So when a program with ambition and deep pockets finds itself without a leader, why wouldn’t fans start dreaming?

“Saban’s got that Bill Belichick energy,” one post on X (formerly Twitter) reads. “He’ll be back. The itch doesn’t go away.”

Another fan chimed in, “Tell me [Florida/Texas A&M/whoever] shouldn’t throw a blank check at Saban. Just see what happens. The man still lives and breathes this game.”

While most acknowledge the idea is far-fetched, that hasn’t stopped the wave of excitement and wild theories online.

Why the Saban Buzz Won’t Die Down

Even in retirement, Saban remains visible. Since stepping away from Alabama, he has appeared frequently on ESPN and SEC Network, offering analysis with the same precision he once reserved for his postgame breakdowns. In fact, many insiders say Saban has never looked more relaxed—or more energized.

“He’s still in love with football. That never changed,” said one former assistant. “But he’s also really enjoying watching someone else carry the weight. Kalen [DeBoer] is running the show now, and Nick gets to step back and just enjoy being part of the game in a different way.”

But the speculation about a return won’t go away for a few key reasons:

1. He’s Still Sharp: Unlike many retirees, Saban didn’t walk away due to declining health or an inability to keep up. In fact, Alabama finished 12-2 in his final season and made the College Football Playoff. He left on top.
2. He Misses the Game: In interviews, Saban has admitted it’s strange not being in the grind. “There’s always an adjustment,” he said in a March 2025 appearance on College GameDay. “You don’t just flip a switch and stop caring.”
3. He Has Options: As programs with aspirations of titles or rebuilds look for proven winners, they know the best to ever do it is only a phone call away—at least theoretically.
4. His Former Players and Staff Keep Asking: The calls don’t just come from fans. People in the business—some of whom coached under Saban—often say they’d welcome a return. There’s a reverence around Saban that no other coaching candidate possesses.

What Are the Odds He Actually Returns?

Let’s be real: the odds are extremely low.

For one, Saban has been adamant about his decision. In his retirement press conference, he spoke about the time it takes to build a championship culture and admitted, “I don’t know if I have the patience for it again.” He also emphasized the toll coaching had taken on him emotionally—especially with the way the sport has evolved through NIL and the transfer portal.

“I loved every minute of it,” he said at the time, “but it’s someone else’s turn now.”

Moreover, Saban turns 74 in October. Even though he appears healthy and engaged, taking over a program again—especially one not as turnkey as Alabama—would be a monumental commitment. Rebuilding a program is a multi-year grind. It’s not just about game day; it’s about recruiting, culture, infrastructure, donor relations. It’s a lifestyle. And it’s one Saban might not want to resume at this stage in life.

Still, it’s not impossible.

Some close to the coach say he could be tempted by the perfect scenario. A program with the right resources. The right kind of athletic director. A win-now roster. Maybe a place where he feels unfinished business. That, or something truly dramatic, like stepping in as an emergency option for a single year while a school searches for its long-term hire.

“I don’t think he’d ever rule anything out 100 percent,” said one longtime Alabama staffer. “But it would have to be almost perfect.”

The Real Impact: How Saban’s Name Affects the Coaching Carousel

Even if Nick Saban never coaches another down, the mere mention of his name changes the landscape.

Whenever he trends, athletic departments feel pressure. Boosters start asking questions. Fanbases get vocal. And other coaches feel the heat.

If you’re a top assistant on the rise—like Glenn Schumann at Georgia, or Brian Hartline at Ohio State—you’re now being compared, even jokingly, to the greatest of all time. If you’re a sitting Power Five head coach with a few disappointing seasons under your belt, suddenly your job seems even more fragile.

One AD from the Big Ten told The Athletic: “The Saban speculation makes our job harder. It puts every coach on edge. It raises expectations that can’t be met.”

In some ways, Saban still dominates college football, even from the comfort of his lake house.

What Saban Thinks About All the Noise

Though he hasn’t directly addressed the latest trending topic, Saban has commented before on the reaction to his name being thrown around in connection to coaching vacancies.

“Miss Terry gets a kick out of it,” he said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “She’s the one who said I needed to retire. Now she’s seeing my name on TV again and she’s like, ‘You better not be getting any ideas.’”

If anything, Saban seems more amused than anything else. Still, he’s careful not to fan the flames.

“I made peace with my decision,” he added. “That doesn’t mean I don’t love football. But coaching again? That’s not on my radar.”

And yet, until he’s long removed from the public spotlight—or until someone else dominates the game the way he did—his name will always be relevant.

What It Says About the State of College Football

The fact that Saban still trends every time there’s a job opening reveals a lot about the current landscape.

There’s uncertainty across the sport. Between NIL chaos, conference realignment, and transfer portal frenzy, programs are looking for stability. And Saban, despite operating in an era of change, always delivered that.

“There’s nobody else like him,” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said. “You’re not just talking about a great coach. You’re talking about the safest hire in the history of the sport. Even now, if he said yes, boosters would lose their minds.”

That’s the kind of mythos Nick Saban carries. And it’s why, until further notice, his shadow will always loom large over any coaching vacancy.

 The GOAT May Be Retired—But He’s Still the Blueprint

Nick Saban may never coach again. He may never put on the headset, pace the sideline, or bark at referees from under his signature straw hat. But his influence remains unmatched.

And as long as the coaching carousel spins, fans will dream. They’ll tweet. They’ll tag. They’ll photoshop him in new team colors. Because deep down, they’re not quite ready to let go.

Maybe they never will.