Nick Saban joining ESPN as analyst on College GameDay, other football programming

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who retired from coaching in January, will join ESPN as a regular member of the networks College GameDay pregame show on Saturdays, it was announced on Wednesday. Saban has long been suspected to land some sort of television gig after coaching, if he wanted to pursue it.

Along with appearing on GameDay, where he will serve as an analyst and contribute to the wide-ranging coverage of college football, Saban will also contribute to coverage on the SEC Network and around the NFL Draft on ESPN. His SEC Network appearances will apparently be centered around the conference’s football media days.

Saban will be on the iconic GameDay desk alongside the usual crew of Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso and Pat McAfee.

“ESPN and College GameDay have played such an important role in the growth of college football, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to join their team,” Saban in a release announcing the move. “I’ll do my best to offer additional insights and perspectives to contribute to College GameDay, the ultimate Saturday tradition for college football fans.”

The first assignment for Saban — potentially something involving the 2024 NFL Draft in April — is yet to be announced. ESPN added that it will be announced at a later date.

Saban made regular appearances on ESPN this past football season, joining the Pat McAfee Show for regular interviews throughout the season. Saban has also made appearances on College GameDay in the past, either ahead of a big Alabama game or joining the desk for coverage of the College Football Playoff when his team wasn’t in it.

And the move is a big win for ESPN, adding the seven-time national champion head coach and one of the most respected football minds on the planet to its pregame college football coverage.

“Nick Saban is a singular, iconic presence in college football. He is also an extremely gifted communicator, who will immediately add even more credibility, authority and entertainment value to ESPN, including our esteemed College GameDay show,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in the release.

Along with coaching at Alabama, where he won six national championships, Saban has been the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, LSU, Michigan State and Toledo. He also coached extensively as an assistant both in college and the NFL. He won his other national championship while coaching at LSU. As a head coach, Saban is 292-71-1.