“Thank you”: Nick Saban’s daughter thanks College Game Day crew for bringing out the best in former Alabama HC

Nick Saban took on a new endeavor in the 2024 college football season. Following his retirement after 17 years as the coach of Alabama, Saban took on a full-time media role in February. He joined ESPN as an analyst and became part of the “College GameDay” crew.

His latest appearance on the pregame show was in Columbia for South Carolina’s game against LSU in Week 4. Apart from delivering his analysis on the show, he was also spotted full of life, singing Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” with the fans during a commercial break.

This moment was exciting to college football fans as a whole. It has brought out a different side of Nick Saban fans never knew. College GameDay host Rece Davis shared the moment with the fans on Instagram and received an appreciative reaction from Saban’s daughter, Kristen.

"Y'all have brought the best out of him. Thank you,” Kristen commented on Instagram.

Credit: Rece Davis Instagram

Nick Saban disclosed his love for “Wagon Wheel”

Nick Saban thrilled College GameDay backstage fans in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday by joining in on the iconic anthem during a live pre-game performance by Hootie & the Blowfish's lead singer.

The coach and Pat McAfee were seen swaying together on the stage as they sang lyrics along with the South Carolina fans. Saban shared how he came to know the lyrics to the popular country song when the show resumed.

“I’ll tell you what, I want Darius Rucker to know that every Saturday night we had a karaoke party at our house in recruiting, and the No. 1 requested song was 'Wagon Wheel,'" Saban said.

When did Nick Saban join College Gameday?

Nick Saban was announced as a new crew member of College GameDay in February when he joined ESPN. Being part of the college football premier pregame show was a major part of his deal with the network and the coach was thrilled to have the role.

“ESPN and College GameDay have played such an important role in the growth of college football, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to join their team," Saban said in a statement after joining the network in February, per ESPN.

“I'll do my best to offer additional insights and perspectives to contribute to College GameDay, the ultimate Saturday tradition for college football fans.”

While College GameDay has lost a couple of members over the last few years in cost-cutting moves by parent company Disney, having Saban on board was too big an opportunity to turn down.