Paul Finebaum gives honest admission of Nick Saban's effect on him: "He scared me to death"

After a career that spanned almost 50 years, legendary coach Nick Saban finally retired in January. But that was the end of the charismatic coach. He then snagged analyst roles with the SEC Network and ESPN's College GameDay.

On the "Sports Media" podcast, controversial ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum spoke glowingly about Saban and his future analyst role. He gave an honest admission about Saban as well.

“He (Saban) will be the most prepared person on that GameDay set, and he will be clearly the most knowledgeable,” Finebaum said. “I think really the issue will be if everyone else can be themselves. I could not be myself. I’m rarely intimidated, but he scared me to death.”

Fans and analysts lauded Saban for his performances as an analyst during the SEC media days and the 2024 NFL Draft. He seems to have fit into his new role seamlessly.

Paul Finebaum defended Nick Saban

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum is no stranger to voicing his thoughts. A few months ago, he criticized former Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer while defending Nick Saban.

Saban and Meyer had appeared on the ballot for the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame. Finebaum was livid at the two men even being compared during "The Opening Kickoff" on WNSP-FM 105.5.

“One coach (Nick Saban) has won seven national championships and has been exemplary in everything that he’s done and stood for,” Finebaum said. “He’s been someone who is a beacon for integrity.

“The other one (Urban Meyer) is basically the worst of everything imaginable,” Finebaum said. “He has lied. He has misled. He has quit several different times to spend time with his family. I realize Urban Meyer has won three national championships, but, beyond that, it’s embarrassing for him to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Nick Saban.”

Saban and Meyer have won national championships at different programs, accounting for their inclusion in the College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Finebaum and Saban will see a lot more of each other as colleagues. The former Alabama Crimson Tide coach is among the few in college sports the spiky analyst gets along with.