Nick Saban has been very comfortable with his new job as a college football analyst, but there have still been many connections for him to return to the sidelines. Most recently, the LSU Tigers have made a coaching change and have decided to move away from Brian Kelly.
Of course, Saban led LSU to a lot of success during his five-year stint with the program from the 2000 season through 2004. He’s mostly known for his dominant time with the Alabama Crimson Tide, but the Tigers still have a lot of love for him.
Is it likely that Saban would consider returning to coaching with LSU? Probably not, but it’s something that the program could consider pursuing.
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With that in mind, one analyst has connected Saban to the job opening.
Chris Hummer of CBS Sports has named Saban as a potential “crazy” candidate for the Tigers.
“Look, I did say crazy. It was only earlier this week when Saban said, ‘I want to stay retired.’ But if there was a non-Alabama job that could tempt Saban, it’d be LSU, the place he won his first national championship,” Hummer wrote. “Would he take the job if offered? Probably not. But Woodward’s history tells you he’ll at least ask. “
At the very least, Saban is the caliber of head coach that is worth making a call to. LSU should make that call to gauge his interest.
It’s important to know that the response is likely going to be a negative. No one should expect to see the Tigers lure Saban out of retirement. But, if there was a team that he might consider, LSU would be one of them.
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Hummer suggested other more likely options. Among his potential names to watch are Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Penn State coach James Franklin, and Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall.
Following the tenure that Kelly had with the Tigers, LSU has to make the right hire this time around. Saban would be a home run. Fans know that it is unlikely, but it’s still fun to think about it.
Expect to hear a lot of news and speculation coming out of Baton Rouge as the coaching search gets underway.
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