Ryan Kang/Getty ImagesAlabama's legendary head coach, Nick Saban, shockingly retired on Wednesday. But it's always possible he could stick around the college game as a broadcaster.
Amanda Christovich and Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reported that "industry sources" see Saban as the "perfect" addition to ESPN's College GameDay, noting that "Lee Corso can stay on the show as long as he wants, ESPN sources say, but the network has long eyed the Alabama coach as Corso's possible successor."
Saban has already made appearances on both College GameDay and ESPN's new flagship program, The Pat McAfee Show, on multiple occasions. But going from coaching to the entertainment side of the game would undoubtedly be an adjustment for the man who liked to compare the media hype surrounding his team to "rat poison."
The knowledge of the game he would bring to the program would be unrivaled, however.
"I don't know if [Saban] has the passion for the fans that Corso does or the entertainment aspect of things," a source told Front Office Sports. "But it certainly makes a lot of sense."
Richard Deitsch @richarddeitschThis goes back many years. <a href="https://t.co/OW1oyYiEQ5">https://t.co/OW1oyYiEQ5</a> <a href="https://t.co/3ghmSmiJfB">pic.twitter.com/3ghmSmiJfB</a>
Saban, 72, posted an incredible career record of 297-71-1 in his college career, with stops at Toledo (1990), Michigan State (1995-99), LSU (2000-04) and Alabama (2007-23). His accolades include seven national championships, a 19-12 record in bowl games and a 9-5 record in the College Football Playoff.
He also had a cup of coffee in the NFL, going 15–17 with the Miami Dolphins in the 2005-06 seasons.
Former coaches and quarterbacks generally transition well into broadcasting analyst roles, and networks pay big money for high-profile options like Saban. Look no further than the 10-year, $375 million contract Tom Brady signed with Fox to eventually become its top color commentator on its NFL broadcasts.
Fox also went with a former college coach as part of its Big Noon Kickoff program, bringing aboard the controversial former coach of Utah, Florida, Ohio State and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Urban Meyer.
ESPN landing Saban would undoubtedly up the ante in the college football broadcasting wars.
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