LSU’s decision to fire Brian Kelly has sent shockwaves throughout the world of college football. As the search for a new head coach begins, almost every big name in the sport has been thrown into the ring. But one name that has caught the attention of many is none other than Nick Saban, the legendary coach who is currently enjoying his retirement.
The idea of Saban returning to the sidelines has sparked both excitement and speculation. After all, the seven-time national champion has one of the most impressive resumes in college football history. And with his connections to the state of Louisiana, it’s no surprise that his name has been linked to the vacant LSU position.
But this isn’t the first time Saban’s name has been brought up in relation to the LSU job. In fact, it seems like every time there’s an opening at the university, Saban’s name is thrown into the mix. And while he has repeatedly shut down these rumors and reaffirmed his commitment to the University of Alabama, the buzz around his potential return to LSU is too hard to ignore.
The latest round of speculation was fueled by none other than Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend and LSU alum. In a recent interview, O’Neal mentioned that he believes Saban would be the perfect fit for the Tigers and that he should consider coming out of retirement to take on the challenge. This caused a frenzy among fans and media alike, with many wondering if there was any truth to O’Neal’s words.
However, Saban’s daughter, Kristen Saban Setas, was quick to shut down the rumors once again. In a statement to the press, she clarified that her father is happy in his retirement and has no plans of returning to coaching, let alone at LSU. She also expressed her frustration with the constant speculation surrounding her father’s name and how it can be a distraction for both him and the Alabama football team.
This isn’t the first time Kristen has had to speak out on behalf of her father. In 2015, when Saban’s name was being linked to the LSU job after Les Miles’ departure, she took to social media to set the record straight. In a tweet, she stated, “I’m going to reiterate what I’ve said multiple times before- my father is not leaving Alabama.”
It’s understandable why rumors of Saban’s return to LSU keep surfacing. After all, he had a successful stint at the university from 2000 to 2004, leading the Tigers to a national championship in 2003. He is also a native of West Virginia, and his wife is from Louisiana, so he has strong ties to the state. But as much as fans would love to see him back at LSU, it seems like it’s just wishful thinking.
So, what’s next for LSU and their search for a new head coach? While Saban may be out of the picture, there are still plenty of other big names being thrown around. The most notable one is none other than current Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who is highly respected in the college football world and has led the Buckeyes to multiple Big Ten titles and a national championship appearance.
Other names in the mix include Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, and even current LSU interim coach Ed Orgeron. Whoever the university decides to bring in, one thing is for sure- they have big shoes to fill after the departure of Brian Kelly. Under his leadership, LSU won the national championship in 2019 and consistently ranked among the top teams in the country.
In the end, while the buzz around Saban’s potential return to LSU is exciting to think about, it’s important to remember that he deserves to enjoy his retirement. He has given so much to the sport of college football and has left an indelible mark on every team he has coached. Let’s respect his decision to step away from the game and focus on the future of LSU football, which is certainly bright regardless of who takes the reins.
