Nick Saban remains one of the stars of SEC Media Days

DALLAS — Nick Saban has traded his straw hat, vest and whistle for a suit, pink tie and a microphone. 

Bye, bye Nick Saban, Alabama head football coach. 

Hello, Nick Saban, the newest member of the college football media. 

Much like Saban’s 7-6 debut as the head coach of the Tide way back in 2007, his first-year role as a media member got off to a bit of an inauspicious start Monday when he was turned away by security because he forgot his credential in his hotel room.

“I’ve never worn a credential in my life,” Saban told ESPN’s Mike Greenberg on Get Up. 

“For 17 years, I was always able to get into SEC Media Days without a credential. I had to go back to my room today to get my credential to get in.”

Welcome to our world, coach. 

“We teach those lessons quickly,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said with a smile.

Saban’s famed pupil Kirby Smart then joked Tuesday that he was able to slide into media days without any identification. 

Who’s top dog now?

But the rest of Saban’s start to media days — his 23rd time attending the event, only in a brand new role this year — has been classic Saban. 

Smooth. Smart. Savvy. 

Also, proud?

Tucked away in the back of the main ballroom on the SEC Network’s stage, the 72-year-old sat back like a proud parent watching former assistants Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin talk about their teams. 

When Smart took some time to thank Saban for all the Alabama coach had done for his career, Saban sat back in his TV chair flashing a big grin. 

The smile on Nick Saban face speaks volumes as Coach Smart gives him the flowers he says he deserves for helping him become the man and coach he has become.
My dawg @BenjaminSWatson holding it down on the SEC set next to coach! pic.twitter.com/mwXSO97SYD

— DjShockley (@DjShockley3) July 16, 2024

“There was never a day in 11 years I worked for him that we didn’t share a room in some sort,” Smart said, adding that Saban clearly has more free time now because he’s suddenly responding to texts.

“The demand for excellence is met by none other than him. So that standard that he set for me, day in and day out, he met himself. Every coach that ever worked with him or for him will tell that you he does it all himself as well.

“He doesn’t hold you to any different standard than himself. So a lot of the success I’ve had I give credit to him and thanks. I know he’ll being critiquing me today, so I am looking forward to that as well.”

Why Nick Saban will be such an asset to ESPN’s SEC football coverage

Fresh off delivering a powerful speech at the ESPY Awards last week, Saban has spent the first two days in his TV gig delivering cogent analysis and real opinions. 

He believes the Tide have the front-line players to beat anyone but is concerned about his former team’s depth (classic Saban, again). He’s super high on Georgia but noted that the Bulldogs must navigate a tricky schedule. He questioned whether or not Ole Miss has enough beef in the trenches to win the big games. He comp’d LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, and offered some sage advice to Tennessee’s first-year starter Nico Iamaleava.

Saban knows these teams. He knows these coaches. And he’s clearly serious about preparing for his next job with the same vigor he had on the sidelines the last 25 yards. 

That demand for excellence hasn’t changed, and he seems gleefully enthusiastic about his new gig. 

Sankey was asked about Saban’s new platform and noted how the Hall of Fame head coach will continue to excel in his new position within the conference. 

“One of the things I’ve found over time is Nick, in many ways, uniquely thought ahead on issues, provided really deep and clear insight,” he said.

“I think he can bring that clarity. I think he can bring an understanding that even I don’t have dealing with these issues on the front lines as a head football coach, and I know he brings love of the game overall to (his) analysis.”

One such 2024 opinion on the SEC season?

Saban picked Georgia and Texas to square off in the SEC Championship.

Some masterfully served “yummy rat poison” for his former Alabama team?

Probably. But that’s classic Saban, too. 

“I really like Texas. I think Georgia has got a really good team. I believe in our Alabama team, too,” he said. 

“I believe in Jalen Milroe. I just think the question marks in the secondary — until those get resolved — it’s hard to, sort of, jump on that bandwagon.”

Here’s a guess most will be on the bandwagon that Saban is a major boon for ESPN’s coverage this fall. His closeness to the game allows him to provide unique insight, and now that’s he’s unthererted by future wins and losses, he’s willing to offer his own version of a hot take. 

Nick Saban on Texas:

“What kind of tickles me is all these people asking questions about how Texas always ran the conference they were in. They’re not gonna run the SEC.”

(via @SECNetwork, @PCGreenfield) https://t.co/pe6IbOAzlH pic.twitter.com/BISjA7kFlh

— On3 (@On3sports) July 15, 2024

“What kind of tickles me is all these people asking these questions about how Texas always ran the (Big 12),” Saban said in a clip that went viral.

“They’re not going to run the SEC.”

Cue the outrage!

Or not.

Saban offering such statements is good for TV. It’s good for college football. He’s had great back-and-forth banter with his former quarterback Greg McElroy and his longtime frenemy Paul Finebaum is ecstatic to have Saban on his TV team now. 

“Since January 10th, this has been the worst six months of my life without Nick Saban,” Finebaum said Monday. 

Saban was later relayed what Finebaum said, and he chuckled before responding, “Well he tried to ruin mine for 17 years, so I guess we’re even.”