Nick Saban drops a bar that will fire up Florida Gators fans ahead of the 2026 season

You would have never heard former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban utter something like this before.

Tyler Forness NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jul 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; former Alabama Crimson Tide coach and ESPN analyst for College GameDay Nick Saban broadcast during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott.
Jul 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; former Alabama Crimson Tide coach and ESPN analyst for College GameDay Nick Saban broadcast during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

When you are the best head coach in the history of the Alabama Crimson Tide like Nick Saban is, you are likely to continue being associated with the program. Yes, Saban is still a legend on campus, but his presence in the media has changed things.

He’s been great in the media for ESPN, giving us incredible quotes about a multitude of topics, including those outside of the Crimson Tide. His latest one will make fans of the Florida Gators very happy.

Nick Saban is a Florida Gators fan

At SEC Media Days, Saban interviewed Gators head coach Jon Sumrall and revealed something interesting: he’s a Gators fan now.

“Let me just say one thing to you, John. I’m a Florida resident now, and down there amongst the Gators, and Governor [Ron] DeSantis is a good friend. You took our former president, Stuart Bell, who’s now a Gator, and I want you to know I’m kind of a semi-gator. So if you don’t get your s**t together, I’m going to be in the middle of it. I just want you to know that.”

Saban giving Sumrall that vote of confidence is huge. We know that Sumrall is in a great spot with the Gators, and he’s got things going in the right direction. Even so, hearing Saban talk like that is a great sign.

Sure, some of it is likely coming from his neighbors in Florida, but the belief in Sumrall should give the fanbase a lot more confidence that things will finally turn around.