ESPN Insider Says Nick Saban’s Presence On College GameDay Could Have Massive Impact

Nick Saban's last season with the Alabama Crimson Tide and in coaching was 2024. Following the season, Saban retired but will be on College GameDay in the fall.

The program went out and hired former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer. However, Saban will still be an advisor for Alabama football.

In the latest edition of First Take, ESPN insider Courtney Cronin talked about how Saban could put even more pressure on the first-year head coach.

If Alabama begins to struggle early on during the 2024 season, Saban will discuss it on College GameDay. Cronin thinks the pressure will slowly build on DeBoer if that becomes the case.

"Let's say they struggle in some of those early games. The first two weeks, non-conference programs at home. They shouldn't have any problem with that. But then the Wisconsin game on the road and then having Georgia come to town," Cronin said courtesy of On3 Sports .

"If Alabama loses those games, and if this team struggles, Nick Saban's going to have to talk about that on College GameDay. Kalen DeBoer won't be able to escape the Nick Saban shadow in which he's already in. Can you imagine how loud that noise is going to get?"

DeBoer has dealt with pressure before. Last season, he took Washington to the College Football Playoff, where the Huskies faced the Michigan Wolverines in the national championship.

While DeBoer has been in stressful situations before, it is worth noting that Washington differs from Alabama. Some of the more challenging games on Alabama's schedule include the Wisconsin Badgers (Sept. 14), Georgia Bulldogs (Sept. 28), Tennessee Volunteers (Oct. 19), and Missouri Tigers (Nov. 26).

If DeBoer can not get Alabama rolling this season, it could be a long year for him.

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