It was a matter of time before a media member introduced the rumor that Nick Saban wants to return to coaching. Greg McElroy did the honors this week, saying that someone "in the know" told him that Saban will coach again.

McElroy later denounced the rumor he started. By then, it was too late. The rumor had gained oxygen and made the rounds at SEC media days. Never mind the veracity of this speculation.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams react to the rumor McElroy sparked – that Saban wants to coach again. Neither host gives much credence to the idea of Saban returning to college coaching. They suggest that, if he did return, Alabama would not be the likeliest landing spot.

Adams also considers this hypothetical: If Saban and Urban Meyer returned to college coaching, which would fare better? 

Later in the episode, the hosts respond to Texas being named the overwhelming favorite in the USA TODAY Network's predicted order of finish for the SEC, and Toppmeyer points to a few teams that were underrated in the voting.

It was a matter of time before a media member introduced the rumor that Nick Saban wants to return to coaching. Greg McElroy <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/07/14/nick-saban-coaching-greg-mcelroy-lane-kiffin-college-football-sec/85195881007/" aria-label="Link did the honors ">did the honors </a>this week, saying that someone "in the know" told him that Saban will coach again.
McElroy later denounced the rumor he started. By then, it was too late. The rumor had gained oxygen and made the rounds at <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/07/14/sec-football-media-days-schedule-coaches/84493752007/" aria-label="Link SEC media days">SEC media days</a>. Never mind the veracity of this speculation.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> react to the rumor McElroy sparked &ndash; that Saban wants to coach again. Neither host gives much credence to the idea of Saban returning to college coaching. They suggest that, if he did return, Alabama would not be the likeliest landing spot.
Adams also considers this hypothetical: If Saban and Urban Meyer returned to college coaching, which would fare better?&nbsp;
Later in the episode, the hosts respond to <a href="https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/2025/07/15/2025-all-sec-football-team-individual-awards-predicted-order-of-finish/84585509007/" aria-label="Link Texas being named the overwhelming favorite">Texas being named the overwhelming favorite</a> in the USA TODAY Network's predicted order of finish for the SEC, and Toppmeyer points to a few teams that were underrated in the voting.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

As Nick Saban rumor hijacks SEC media days, why not fire up Urban Meyer talks, too?

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