Paul Finebaum addresses Nick Saban, involvement with Kalen DeBoer, Alabama moving forward

Nick Saban has said that he still plans to be around the Alabama football program moving forward, even after he retired as the head coach of the Crimson Tide last week.

New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is thankful he will have Saban around and shared at his introductory press conference that he plans to rely on Saban regularly.

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum is surprised that Nick Saban still plans to be involved with the Crimson Tide program.

“That is probably one of the bigger surprises of the last couple of days and one of the most curious aspects of it. And there’s no way to predict how that will work,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on Monday. “I mean there are very rare cases where you have someone like Nick Saban who is still around.

“Usually the coach retires, and most of the time is pushed out, so you don’t have a natural situation. This is unique where you have a coach who’s considered the best in the business and he’s exiting.”

Paul Finebaum does question how involved Nick Saban will actually be. He feels that it is a difficult situation for DeBoer, Saban and everyone involved to manage.

“I think Nick Saban is trying very hard to give the appearance that he wants to be involved, that he will do what he can. But I don’t need to tell you guys what it’s like when a new football coach comes in. It has to be his program,” Finebaum said. “And there’s nobody in the country who understands that better than Nick Saban. I was surprised to see him Saturday, but I don’t know what went into the conversation between he and Miss Terry.

“Maybe they felt like the most important thing was to show support, that we are embracing you, to help DeBoer through what could be a difficult time when everybody is coming in, not only trying to steal his players but steal his coaches.”

As Finebaum alluded to, Saban attended DeBoer’s introductory press conference over the weekend. DeBoer said at the media event that he will ask Saban for one piece of advice every single day.

Finebaum is interested to see how the dynamic plays out and if it’s good for DeBoer and Saban. Even though Saban has stated he wants to be involved, Finebaum believes the involvement could be minimal.

“This is a guess, of course. I think he’ll do what he is asked to do, but I will be surprised if Nick Saban is going to be meddling around unless he is wanted. I mean he’s watched this too many times,” Finebaum said. “You can’t be in coaching for five months, let alone 40 years, and not know the pitfalls of the former guy being around.

And I think that was what I heard from some coaches on Saturday. But again, you have to measure what you hear. And you know that. Everybody is taking slings and arrows at DeBoer right now trying to catch up. I don’t really think Nick Saban wants to be involved. If he wanted to be involved he would’ve stayed the head coach at Alabama, as opposed to the elder statesman.”