Reports that Nick Saban could could possibly rejoin the coaching ranks have run rampant among the college football rumor mill in recent weeks. Colin Cowherd has an interesting suggestion as to where Saban should land next — the Dallas Cowboys.
Saban has been out of coaching for over a year now, and has been outstanding as an analyst during ESPN’s College GameDay during the 2024 season. But would he pick up the phone if Jerry Jones calls?
“Got a little itch, and he’s not going to Jacksonville, but Brian Schottenheimer is over his skis, and Jerry Jones says, ‘I don’t want one of these NFL egos.’ He likes to hire guys where they feel like they owe him a little. And Jerry could go to Saban and go, ‘Okay, this Schottenheimer thing doesn’t work. Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts. I need a guy that knows college personnel.'”
Saban certainly fits that mold. Moreover, Cowherd said that Saban is still youthful and sharp as a tack. After all, Saban does have NFL experience as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins for two seasons before taking the Alabama job in 2007.
He went 15-17 at the helm of the franchise, including a 9-6 finish during his first season in 2005. He’d return to the NFL with the reputation as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time.
“It makes some sense for sure,” NFL insider Albert Breer responded. “And I guess geographically, it’s not all that far where he put down roots over the last two decades. … The Cowboys are interesting because they do have a lot of win-now elements, and he could come in there and and really go into a place that’s set up for a strong coach.
“And it’s interesting, because the one thing about Dallas that people misunderstand is, yes, Jerry’s involved in football, but the coach is involved in ccouting, too. Like, the coach is involved in putting the team together, and that’s always been the way that it’s been run there.”
The extra involvement, Breer believes, could be attractive for someone like Saban whose success has been attributed with putting together some of the most talented teams during his era. Still, Breer is high on current Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and thinks the first-year headman will have Dallas performing better than expected during the 2025 season.
Whether Saban’s potential return to football is in a college or NFL setting, the former longtime Alabama head coach won’t be back this season. For now, he’ll still be around the game providing analysis during ESPN College GameDay each weekend this fall.
