The college football coaching carousel is going to be one like we haven’t seen before. There are already seven power conference jobs open, with more expected between now and the end of the season.
Once coaches start getting hired, it will likely create more openings at power conference schools. Currently, the prime openings are at Penn State and Florida. Other power conference openings include UCLA, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and Oregon State. Stanford has Frank Reich as an interim coach, with GM Andrew Luck expected to hire a full-time coach this cycle.
The coaching hot board is running rampant with rumors of coaches being linked to different programs. One former coach, who a lot of programs would covet, put an end to his name around any openings.
Nick Saban Shuts the Door on Coaching Rumors
Seven-time National Championship-winning coach Nick Saban has been suggested as a potential replacement at some of the openings. On College GameDay last week, Saban’s wife, Terry, made it known what she thought of the Penn State opening after James Franklin was fired.
“Look, Pat (McAfee), I have no doubt if Nick wanted to go back to coaching, he could win his eighth national championship,” Miss Terry said. “But we’re having too much fun, and we wouldn’t want to take that opportunity away from all of our baby coaches, like Kirby (Smart) and Lane (Kiffin). I haven’t heard a number yet, Pat.”
The subject was brought up again by McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday. Saban, last at Alabama, shot down any idea of returning to the sideline, while keeping his agent, Jimmy Sexton, away from his wife.
“You know, I want to stay retired,” Saban said. “I do not want (Jimmy Sexton) anywhere near Miss Terry. Because when she hears some of these numbers, she gets interested. And I’m not interested.”
McAfee pressed him again, and Saban made it clear that he enjoys what he’s doing, working with the talk show host.
“No way,” Saban responded. “I have so much fun working with you (directed at McAfee). Why would I go do that?”
Programs Need to Shift Their Search to Other Candidates
Penn State and Florida are sleeping giants that are waiting to be woken up in terms of winning a National Championship. Franklin had them knocking on the door last year in the semifinals before losing to Notre Dame.
Florida has been a program in the SEC that has fallen off over the last decade, similar to Virginia Tech when Frank Beamer stepped away. There is no doubt that at 73 years old, Saban could return to the sideline and have either program in the mix in 2026.
That is unlikely going to happen. No matter how much more money is thrown his way, he is content working at College GameDay with McAfee. He sounds like someone who is done coaching. You can never say never that a return won’t happen. Saban made it clear that Mrs. Terry has spoken.
“Mrs. Always Right has spoken,” Saban said.
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