CBS Sports says Nick Saban would love to make his comeback at Florida State so he can fire Gus Malzahn
On the McElroy & Cubelic show the former Alabama quarterback said someone he trusts told him that Saban — who retired from Alabama in 2024 — could potentially return to the sidelines.
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'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. 'He's pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again.'
While that's far from confirmation of anything, it's enough to spark widespread speculation — including from CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli, who floated Florida State as a potential fit.
Who's up for watching Nick Saban restore a fallen giant to glory? Think of the storyline. The man whose program kept Florida State out of the College Football Playoff two years ago, causing the Seminoles to descend into such a deep depression that they convinced themselves D.J. Uiagelelei was the solution to their problems, offered an apology by offering to save them.
I'm getting tears in my eyes just thinking about it. What a great man Saban would be to take on this charity case.
We know the program can compete for national titles, and the turnaround probably wouldn't take too much time considering the wiggle room offered by the ACC, where the only true threats are Clemson and Miami (and considering Miami has never won the league, are they truly a threat?). My concern here would be financial. How much money would the 'Noles have given the ACC's financial situation and the buyout they'd have to pay to make Mike Norvell go away?
Also, a fun little side effect if this did happen: Saban would get the chance to officially fire Gus Malzahn. You know there's part of him who would appreciate that after some of those Iron Bowl tussles.
- Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports
Fornelli's jab references Malzahn's success against Saban while at Auburn — where Malzahn was 3-5 against Alabama, including the infamous 'Kick Six' win in 2013. If Saban were to actually take the Seminoles job, it would set up a bizarre, but entertaining scenario.
For now, Florida State remains committed to Mike Norvell, who is entering his sixth season in Tallahassee. But after a 2–10 campaign in 2024 — one of the worst in program history — his job security has taken a serious hit. Norvell owns a 33–27 overall record, with only two winning seasons to date.
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It's all hypothetical, of course, and not everyone believes a return is realistic.
'I don't believe that Nick Saban is going to come back to college football until there's a firm set of rules, which is not going to happen before he turns 80, probably,' On3's Andy Staples said.
Still, with McElroy's comments and Fornelli's wild but oddly logical theory, the door to a Saban return — especially at a place like Florida State — can't be ruled out.
MORE:North Carolina floated as ideal comeback landing spot for Nick Saban after Bill Belichick
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