Major update on Lee Corso's College GameDay future with ESPN targeting Nick Saban to join long-running show
Andrew Hansen
Published Sep 01, 2026
NICK Saban is being tabbed as a candidate to join College GameDay after retiring from Alabama.
Saban announced his retirement from college football on Wednesday and speculation is already growing about his next career venture.

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The biggest rumors swirling are that Saban will join the broadcasting world, like many former football coaches and players.
According to Front Office Sports, industry sources believe the former Alabama coach is the perfect fit to join ESPN's College GameDay.
Lee Corso, 88, will be on the show until he decides he's ready to retire, but ESPN reportedly has eyed Saban as a replacement for Corso.
Saban has already appeared as a guest on College GameDay multiple times and is close friends with host Pat McAfee, making weekly appearances on his show.
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Getting Saban on College GameDay would also be a crippling nlow to Fox Sports' Big Noon Kickoff, which is the main competitor to ESPN.
“I don’t know if [Saban] has the passion for the fans that Corso does or the entertainment aspect of things. But it certainly makes a lot of sense,” a source told Front Office Sports.
Regardless of where he goes next, Saban's retirement will undoubtably reset the landscape of college football.
Coaches will shuffle around after one is picked to replace him at Alabama and ridiculous amounts of money will be tossed around.
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Saban made $11.4 million in his final year as a head coach, the most of any coach in college football.
His replacement likely won't make nearly as much, but coaches salaries are trending higher and higher in recent years.
ESPN, which is already paying its top talent massive salaries, might need to approach that $11 million number to get Saban on the show.
McAfee reportedly has a contract of $85 million over five years, making him a $17 million man for ESPN.
That means they can likely afford Saban's services, but they have other talent like Stephen A. Smith who are waiting for new contracts and will expect the top dollar.
It is possible that we'll see Saban again on TV next year as a broadcaster, but expect a big paycheck to come with it.

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