Paul Finebaum believes Nick Saban will 'likely' return in 2024

Following the Rose Bowl, many wondered if Nick Saban might’ve coached his final game for the Alabama Crimson Tide, but Paul Finebaum doesn’t see that to be the case.

The SEC Network analyst watched along with the world as we witnessed an instant classic, where the Michigan Wolverines came out on top. Joining ESPN’s First Take on Friday, Finebaum explained what’s been going through Saban’s mind, and how the game could be affecting him at the moment.

“Nick Saban was very tired this season,” Finebaum started. “I don’t know if that’s because he’s 72 or because he got sick after the SEC Championship game and he’s recruiting. All the things we already know and every coach has to do. And the people around him were worried. I heard it from people that work for him. ‘Watch him in Pasadena, see how he handles it.’ He handled it well. He nearly won the game.

“We’re not here to quibble about the end of the game, that’s already been done. But you said something; he hasn’t won in three years. That’s breaking news in Alabama because he used to win about every other year, so we were used to it and the fans were used to it. But it’s a different world now.”

Regardless, Finebaum believes Saban’s competitive spirit has endured, and he’ll be back to attempt to reclaim his throne once again in 2024.

“There was a feeling out there, Stephen A., that if he won that game and then went to Houston and won on Monday night — this is a different story — that he would have walked away because it was such a perfect ending,” Finebaum revealed. “But Nick Saban, as you said, he doesn’t care about perfect endings. He’s hosting a recruiting weekend this weekend, he’s trying to get more recruits, he knows what he has to do. There will be some changes on the staff and I think a couple of days is a big thing. He’s had a chance to reflect and I agree with you. Nobody’s more competitive.

“The difference is the game has changed and he’s not going to win it every other year. … I think the 12-team playoff inspires him and energizes him. He will likely be back.”

Alas, Nick Saban couldn’t leave college football without a shot at winning the 12-team Playoff in next season. Paul Finebaum can’t wait to see what the Crimson Tide leader has up his sleeve, and the college football world will find out soon enough.