Was Nick Saban denied entry at 2024 SEC Media Days? Looking at 7X National champ's latest comment

Nick Saban had to show his credentials to enter the 2024 SEC Media Days on Monday. Saban, who has been attending the media days for years as the head coach of the Crimson Tide, announced his retirement back in January.

Ahead of the 2024 SEC Media Days, which begins on July 15, the seven-time national champion said he forgot his credential and realized he needed to go get it so he could enter the event.

"It's a little different. I've never worn a credential in my life and was always for 17 years able to get into SEC Media Day without a credential. I had to go back to the room today and get my credentials to get in."

Saban had been a coach since 1995 and had led the Crimson Tide since 2007. He won six national championships with Alabama and one with LSU.

SEC Commissioner pokes fun at Nick Saban for forgetting credential

After Saban had to go and get his credentials to enter the event, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey poked fun at him. Although Saban is arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, Sankey said it was funny that he wasn't allowed in without a credential.

"The third would go to Nick Saban, who apparently was denied access because he didn't have his credential this morning and had to go back to his room," Sankey said, via 247Sports. "We teach those lessons quickly."

Saban was hired by ESPN to be an analyst for the upcoming college football season. It is an intriguing addition and many fans are excited to see him break down games and teams. When Saban was announced by ESPN in February, the channel's chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement:

"Nick Saban is a singular, iconic presence in college football. He is also an extremely gifted communicator, who will immediately add even more credibility, authority and entertainment value to ESPN, including our esteemed College GameDay show."

Saban went 201-29 as the coach of the Crimson Tide. As a head coach in college football overall, Saban's record stands at 292-71-1 over 28 seasons.