Nick Saban elated for Alabama broadcaster Eli Gold's return: 'Big part of the program'

Nick Saban’s exuberance shines through when speaking about things he loves, and one of those things is Alabama broadcaster Eli Gold.

After a difficult year that had him fighting for his life, Gold is returning to the press box for the Crimson Tide in 2023, calling games once again for Alabama. Prior to Saturday’s gigantic showdown with Texas, ESPN College GameDay honored Gold with a tribute, looking back at his battle with cancer and previewing his return to the booth.

Afterwards, Saban joined the crew on set, and the first words out of his mouth were him waxing poetic regarding Gold, who he called “one of the traditions” at Alabama.

“Eli is one of the traditions that people expect to hear. I think it’s a big part of the program,” Saban said. “He’s a fantastic person, and I just can’t tell you how happy we are to have him back.”

There couldn’t be a better time for Gold to return to the booth. The Alabama Crimson Tide are looking to return to their glory, and Saban wouldn’t rather anyone else on the call for the journey.

Moreover, Gold has been the voice of Alabama football since 1988, but he missed last year due to receiving cancer treatments. 

The journey fighting cancer was a long one for Gold, who told Paul Finebaum a case of the hiccups raised red flags after initial tests didn’t detect his cancer. But he pushed forward and, eventually, kicked the disease.

“There were two things that kept me fighting,” Gold said. “I was fighting for my family. My daughter is getting married in 2024, next calendar year. I wanted to be here to walk her down the aisle. And of course, my wife, who has been absolutely spectacular in helping me and being a caregiver in all of this.”

Alas, Gold will call Alabama home games and Chris Stewart will do play-by-play for away games this season. Stewart filled in for Gold last year as the Crimson Tide’s primary play-by-play announcer.

“I love Eli,” Saban said, earlier this offseason. “He’s been with us for a long time. He’s kind of part of the tradition around here in terms of the expectation of being the voice of the Crimson Tide Network in a lot of ways, whether it’s a radio show or whatever it is. I’m just happy for him and his family that he’s getting healthier, he’s able to get around and he’s going to be able to get back and do what he loves doing.

“We’re going to do everything we can to support him and even though it may not be 100 percent full-throttle, sort of working him back into it. But I’m excited to have him back because I love working with him.”

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this article.