Browns Linked to Nick Saban as Potential Stefanski Replacement

If Nick Saban returns to coaching, the Cleveland Browns have been named as a potential landing spot for the legendary coach.

Rumors are swirling about a potential return to coaching for Saban. The 73-year-old stepped away from Alabama in January 2024, but speculation was reignited after his former quarterback, Greg McElroy, hinted that a comeback might be in the works.

“A very much in-the-know person that I have a lot of respect for and have spent a lot of time around, and just really, really admire — they seem to think Nick Saban is not done coaching,” McElroy said during a radio interview. “He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again.”

Browns ‘Desperate’ Enough to Bring in Nick Saban

Saban is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history, with a resume that includes seven national championships — six with Alabama and one with LSU. He also spent a brief time in the NFL, serving as the defensive coordinator in Cleveland for three years.

Jason Burgos of Sportsnaut named the Browns as a potential home for Saban if he intends to return to the sideline.

“Behind (Brian) Daboll, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is also feeling the heat heading into the new season. If they have another losing campaign in year six, he will likely be ousted after the season. Saban served as the team’s defensive coordinator back in the days when Bill Belichick was leading the staff,” Burgos said. “Cleveland would be a team desperate enough to give Saban whatever he wants to take over their program. That would surely entice the coach to go back to the NFL ranks.”

While the speculation has been entertaining, a credible source — Saban’s daughter, Kristen — was quick to shut down the rumors.

https://x.com/Andy_Staples/status/1945954561274806601

“Apparently some of y’all feel trolled by my last story of Nick’s walkout,” she wrote in a social media post. “He’s not coming back to coaching, hate to break it to you. You had your time.”

Kevin Stefanski May Survive Another Losing Season With Browns

Stefanski holds a 40-44 record since taking over as head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2020. Despite the sub-.500 mark, he’s earned NFL Coach of the Year honors twice and led the Browns to the playoffs on two occasions.

Expectations are low for Cleveland heading into this season. The Browns’ win total projection is set at just 4.5 games, tied for the fewest in the NFL. Still, even if the team underperforms, Stefanski’s job appears to be safe.

Both Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry signed contract extensions in 2024, though the terms were not disclosed. Team owner Jimmy Haslam has publicly backed the duo, voicing his confidence in their leadership during the offseason.

“Well, we sat here last year and Kevin was a two-time out of four years Coach of the Year and Andrew was regarded as one of the top executives in pro football at the age of 37 years old,” Haslam said this offseason, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. “So, I don’t think they forgot how to coach. I don’t think they forgot how to do personnel. There’s things both of them can do better. There’s things our entire organization could do better.

“It’s a little bit of everything that could go wrong did go wrong, but I don’t want to make any excuses. They can both do better, but we have high confidence in both of them.”

The Browns hold two first-round picks in next year’s draft, putting them in a strong position to reset if the season goes off the rails. With ongoing uncertainty at quarterback, Stefanski and Berry could use that draft capital to reshape the roster and target a potential franchise signal-caller to steer the team back on course.