After Retiring from Alabama Football, How Did Nick Saban Do on College GameDay Picks?

After an illustrious career as the head coach of Alabama football, Nick Saban retired from the sidelines, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most successful and respected figures in college football history. However, his influence on the sport is far from over. In the 2025 college football season, Saban took on a new role, making picks for ESPN’s College GameDay, a segment known for its lively and often controversial predictions about the day’s matchups. But the big question on everyone’s mind was: How would the legendary coach fare as a pundit instead of a coach?

For decades, Saban had been the mastermind behind some of the most dominant teams in college football, leading Alabama to numerous national championships and bowl game victories. His ability to analyze, strategize, and make quick decisions on the field was unparalleled. But how would those skills translate to a different kind of prediction—the College GameDay pick’em?

Each week, the College GameDay crew is tasked with choosing the winner of the top games in college football, with Saban joining analysts like Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, and Desmond Howard in making his picks. Initially, there was some skepticism surrounding how Saban would handle this new format. After all, his focus had always been on coaching and leading his teams to victory, not predicting outcomes. But despite the change in setting, Saban quickly showcased his keen football intellect.

Saban’s picks were solid from the start. His deep understanding of the game allowed him to accurately assess matchups, identify key players, and make predictions that were often spot on. It became clear that his legendary eye for talent and football strategy wasn’t just confined to coaching; it translated effortlessly into predicting how games would unfold. His analytical approach, which helped Alabama secure championship after championship, proved to be a valuable asset on College GameDay.

In his first few weeks as a College GameDay analyst, Saban quickly gained attention for his insightful analysis, which was accompanied by his signature calm and methodical demeanor. Unlike some of the more animated personalities on the show, Saban’s reserved style of analysis made his predictions stand out. His no-nonsense approach appealed to viewers who appreciated his depth of knowledge and the calm authority he brought to the set.

Despite his success, however, Saban wasn’t immune to the unpredictability of college football. In the fast-paced world of college football, where upsets and surprises are commonplace, Saban’s picks weren’t always correct. But even when his predictions didn’t pan out, viewers could still appreciate the thought process behind his choices. It became evident that Saban wasn’t just picking teams based on statistics—he was looking at matchups, momentum, and the hidden factors that could ultimately determine the outcome of a game.

By the end of the season, Saban had become a beloved fixture on College GameDay, offering a refreshing mix of deep football knowledge, insight into team dynamics, and honest assessments of college football’s best and brightest teams. Fans appreciated his candidness and respect for the game, and while his record wasn’t perfect, Saban had proven that his football IQ extends far beyond the coaching realm.

In the end, Nick Saban’s time as a College GameDay analyst served as a reminder that while his coaching career may have come to an end, his contributions to the sport of college football were far from over. Whether on the sidelines or on a television set, Saban’s influence on the game remains undeniable.