Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban is considered college football royalty.
But someone apparently didn’t get that memo at a recent gathering of some of college football’s top coaches.
Saban, now a member of the press with ESPN, said he forgot to wear his press badge when he attended SEC Media Days earlier this week, and was initially denied entry to the event.
“It’s a little different. I’ve never worn a credential in my life,” the former Alabama football coach said on the ESPN morning show “Get Up.”
“Was always, for 17 years, able to get into SEC Media Day without a credential. I had to go back to the room today to get my credential to get in.
“So, that’s one of the biggest changes I see. It’s not like it used to be.”
Nick Saban was denied entry to SEC Media Days after forgetting his credential😂
“I’ve never worn a credential in my life.”
(via @GetUpESPN, @awfulannouncing) https://t.co/ZajCLsvE6f pic.twitter.com/76fCR7qZcT
— On3 (@On3sports) July 15, 2024
Saban said he did not see anyone record the interaction, pouring cold water on Mike Greenberg’s hope that he would have loved to see the college football legend get “carded.”
“But people were very polite and it was OK,” Saban added.
Saban joined ESPN after he announced his retirement from Alabama. He is slated to be on the crew of “College Gameday” this upcoming season.
“ESPN and College GameDay have played such an important role in the growth of college football, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to join their team,” Saban said in a statement at the time. “I’ll do my best to offer additional insights and perspectives to contribute to College GameDay, the ultimate Saturday tradition for college football fans.”
Saban won seven national titles as a head coach, the most in college football history. He helped Alabama secure seven SEC titles and four national titles in the last 10 seasons, making the Crimson Tide one of the most feared programs in the country.