"He's wearing purple, I forgive him" - CFB fans gush over Nick Saban's unexpected return to the Tigers' facility

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban has embraced his role as an analyst on ESPN's "College GameDay" and has quickly become a fan favorite for his witty analysis and antics on the set of the pregame show. Saban returned to familiar ground for the battle between his former teams, the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday.

Before the game, Saban visited the football operations building on LSU's campus, a building that he was responsible for designing during his tenure as the coach of the Tigers between 2000 and 2004.

In a video posted by LSU on X, Saban spoke to assembled Tigers athletes and revealed who he roots for between LSU and Alabama.

"The most important thing for everybody here is how can you create the most value for yourself by the choices and decisions you make as a person, as a student and as a player," Saban said. "All of those things are going to help you be more successful in life.

"I wish you all luck, I know you got a game tonight. I'm going to watch how you guys do because I still root for LSU all the time, except for when they play Alabama."

LSU fans in the comment section of the Instagram post gushed over Nick Saban's purple outfit he sported during his visit to the football operations building.

"He's wearing purple, I forgive him," a fan wrote.

"I think Saban really did love LSU fr," another posted.

"Nick Saban back at LSU before GTA 6 is another," a comment read.

Check out more fan reactions below:

LSU's IG comments

LSU's IG comments

Nick Saban visits Kim Mulkey's LSU WBB

Nick Saban took advantage of his visit to Baton Rouge to check in with the LSU women's basketball team led by controversial coach Kim Mulkey and give a speech to the team.

During a news conference after meeting Saban, the outspoken Mulkey revealed her delight at interacting with the legendary coach.

"I had never met the man in my life," Mulkey said. "I was in heaven. When I heard he wanted to come to practice, I told (LSU assistant coach) Bob (Starkey), 'You better run practice because I'm probably going to sit there the whole hour talking to him.' His wife (Terry Saban) also came, and my conversation with him was about ball, about what we do.

"Say what you want about him, he loves LSU. And there's a lot of people in this town that are indebted to him and love him. He just wanted to leave to just try the pro game, he didn't leave for another college. It wasn't for him."

Nick Saban is still clearly revered in Baton Rouge after he won LSU the 2003 national championship before departing for the Miami Dolphins and subsequently, the Alabama Crimson Tide.