By Matt Moscona
Strange rumors during the coaching carousel are nothing new. When Shaquille O’Neal gets involved, words carry more weight than the average internet rumbling.
“I heard through the grapevine that they were having conversations with Nick Saban,” O’Neal said in an interview with Us Weekly. “That’d be awesome if we can bring Nick back.”
O’Neal, 53, played for three seasons at LSU (1989-1992) before entering the NBA. He returned to LSU to finish his degree in 2000. The Hall of Famer is a frequent visitor on campus for home football games and charitable events.
Saban, 74, retired from coaching after the 2023 season. He is in his second season as an ESPN analyst on College Game Day and recently told the Pat McAfee Show that he has no desire to return to coaching.
“I want to stay retired.” Saban said. “And I don’t want (agent Jimmy Sexton) anywhere near Miss Terry because when she hears some of these numbers, she gets interested. And I ain’t interested.”
Saban coached at LSU from 2000-2004, leading LSU to the 2003 BCS national championship, ending the program’s 45 year title drought. He would win six more national championships during his historic tenure at Alabama.
LSU fired Brian Kelly after a 5-3 start to the 2025 season, his fourth in Baton Rouge. Kelly is owed approximately $53 million in buyout money.
Kirby Smart is the highest-paid coach in college football with an average annual salary of $13.3 million. For LSU to entice Saban out of retirement, it would likely require a number north of Smart’s.
More Top Stories
