By Adeniyi Precious 
Nick Saban just got some big news—and he didn’t even see it coming! While working as an ESPN analyst during the College Football Playoff’s Cotton Bowl semifinal, Saban found out he’s been named to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class.
His ESPN crew, who already knew, surprised him live on air. When Rece Davis broke the news, Saban looked genuinely shocked. “When did that happen?” he asked, clearly caught off guard. It was also a pretty fitting moment—exactly a year after he retired as Alabama’s head coach.
Pat McAfee handed Saban a football to commemorate the achievement, and true to form, Saban kept it humble in his response. “Anytime something like this happens, it’s because of the great people around you,” he said, giving credit to his players, coaches, and support staff. “I was just happy to drive the bus.”
The full 2025 Hall of Fame class will be announced on January 15, with the induction ceremony scheduled for December 9 in Las Vegas.
Safe to say, this honor is well-earned for the man who led Alabama to six national titles. Congratulations, Coach Saban!