Nick Saban’s days on the college football sidelines seem firmly behind him, yet that hasn’t deterred some from speculating about a potential return. Penn State’s athletic director, Pat Kraft, might be wise to heed the suggestion of football analyst Joel Klatt, who believes reaching out to the storied former Alabama coach isn’t entirely out of the question for the Nittany Lions’ vacant head coaching position.

Following a disappointing season that culminated in a third consecutive loss, Penn State parted ways with head coach James Franklin. This unexpected turn has left Kraft on the hunt for a new leader to rejuvenate the team.

During Wednesday’s episode of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Klatt acknowledged that convincing Saban to return to the field is a long shot. However, he advised Kraft to begin the coaching search with bold moves. “I think that Pat Kraft, the athletic director at Penn State, is going to take a big swing,” Klatt remarked. “If I were Pat Kraft, I’d start with the biggest swing possible. I know this sounds crazy, but I think the first call I would make is to Nick Saban. Just make sure that that’s not going to happen.”

Despite the allure, Saban has consistently dismissed any notion of a comeback. In a “Fox & Friends” interview this past July, the former Crimson Tide coach made it clear that there was no opportunity that could “entice me” to step back into coaching.

Saban has constantly shot down rumors of a potential return, and during a “Fox & Friends” interview in July, the former Crimson Tide coach said there was “no opportunity” that would “entice me” to return to coaching. 

In his post-coaching career, Saban has found a home on ESPN as a college football analyst and is an adviser for Alabama. 

For now, Terry Smith is serving as the interim head coach for the Nittany Lions, and whoever is hired to be the permanent replacement for Franklin will have some lofty objectives to achieve. 

Kraft told reporters after the firing that the school is eyeing someone who can “maximize elite-level resources, attack the transfer portal and develop at the highest level.”