NICK Saban’s College GameDay career has gotten off to a chaotic start.
The coaching icon joined the much-loved ESPN show following his departure from Alabama in January.
Nick Saban was hugged by a shirtless Pat McAfee as GameDay came to a close on Saturday[/caption]
Lee Corso also made a late appearance wearing a leprechaun outfit[/caption]
This brought to an end a remarkable 41-year coaching career.
However, if Saturday’s show is anything to go by, there will be no shortage of such excitement in Saban’s new career.
During the closing stages of the show, the crew, who were hosting live from College Station ahead of Texas A&M’s season opener against Notre Dame, were making their picks for the day’s big game.
After both Desmond Howard and Saban picked A&M, it was time for Pat McAfee to make his selection – which he did in his own unique style.
As he pointed out that “the local costume is a bunch of shirtless ranchers,” McAfee tore off his shirt and jacket, to the delight of both his co-hosts and the huge crowd of Aggies fans.
Saban too joined in the laughter, seated beside McAfee, as the former NFL All-Pro punter picked A&M to win.
Up next was guest and Aggies legend Johnny Manziel who, of course, went for his alma mater.
Closing out the segment, Rece Davis noted, “We can’t start the season until Lee Corso does the headgear pick. Where’s LC? Where is he?”
At which point, the 89-year-old college football legend walked out on set in a full leprechaun outfit – Notre Dame’s mascot – before he showed off his best Riverdance moves.
“We told you it’d be different once you got here didn’t we Nick?” Davis told Saban as they prepared to end the show.
“You know I never knew any of this. I never experienced any of this. I’ve never been to anything like this,” he admitted as a shirtless McAfee gave him a hug.
“This is so much fun.”
GameDay’s closing segment drew plenty of responses from viewers on X, many of whom were thoroughly impressed by Saban’s debut.
“You can tell that ‘this is so much fun’ was so genuine,” one said.
College football top 25 rankings
BELOW are the preseason top 25 rankings of college football’s best programs
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Texas
- Alabama
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- Penn State
- Michigan
- Florida State
- Missouri
- Utah
- LSU
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State
- Kansas State
- Miami
- Texas A&M
- Arizona
- Kansas
- USC
- NC State
- Iowa
“Pat gonna bring out the kid in Saban,” suggested a second.
“Saban so uncomfortable lol,” added another.
While a fourth asked, “Are things getting a little out of control?”
Saban will be a regular on GameDay throughout the 2024 college football season.
He will also provide his insight during ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage, while also covering SEC Media Days.
Saban retired in January after 41 years in coaching[/caption]
