The stars would have to align perfectly over Oklahoma, but the Sooners' next football coach could be the greatest to ever do it.
As the 2025 college football season nears with OU coach Brent Venables on the hot seat, coaching legend Nick Saban could be on the market if the Sooners need to replace Venables. Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, who played for Saban, said Monday on his radio show that a person "in the know" believes Saban will return to coaching despite retiring after the 2023 season.
“If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word," McElroy added.
Nick Saban could return to coaching
Saban won more national championships than any coach in college football history with seven between his time leading Toledo, Michigan State, LSU and Alabama. He also had a brief stint in the NFL as the Miami Dolphin's head coach.
Considering his last two stops, an SEC Blue Blood like OU seems like a fit good enough to draw Saban out of retirement and away from his new gig as an analyst on ESPN's College GameDay. OU is a traditional powerhouse currently experiencing a lull, much like LSU and Alabama were before Saban took over. And there's no way the Sooners wouldn't want to pursue Saban if he was an option since he has already proven he can rule the SEC with two different programs.
If Saban really is looking at returning to coaching, other possible major coaching jobs opening this year could include SEC programs Arkansas and Auburn, and USC. Saban just doesn't belong in Hollywood no matter how many commercials he does. Arkansas wouldn't give him the support needed to thrive. It would also be too low of Saban to return to coaching just to lead his old school's biggest in-state rival.
Of possible major opportunities, OU actually seems to be the best bet to be worthy of Saban's time.
Regardless if it's OU or not, though, just imagine Saban taking an SEC team into Tuscaloosa to beat Alabama on a field named after him.
Read more about OU football