$80M worth Nick Saban hilariously claps back at Paul Finebaum for "ruining his life”: “I guess we’re even"

Nick Saban and Paul Finebaum have been linked for years due to the nature of their jobs. Saban was the most successful head coach in modern collegiate football history, while Finebaum is a reputable insider. Paul Finebaum was assured of premium content by covering Saban and his team for years, but that ended abruptly when Saban announced his retirement from coaching in January 2024.

So, in a segment on Get Up on ESPN, Finebaum said:

"This has been the worst six months of my life without Nick Saban."

To which Saban, who is worth $80 million as per Celebrity Net Worth, replied with his trademark dry sense of humor:

"He tried to ruin mine for 17 years, so I guess we're even."

Their interaction shows that it's hardly ever personal between coaches, players, and the media in sports. It's typically only business, with the parties rarely ever holding a grudge outside the workplace.

Paul Finebaum suggested a new job for Nick Saban

Paul Finebaum and Nick Saban might have clashed in the past, but that doesn't mean the veteran CFB insider doesn't recognize the game.

According to Yahoo Sports, while interviewing Saban in May 2024, Paul Finebaum suggested that the seven-time national champion take over as the chief administrator of collegiate football.

Finebaum said:

"I think the solution to the current impasse in college football is for you to quit wasting time on TV, and you need to be what everybody in my business has suggested. You need to be the Czar of collegiate football. If you agree to that right about now, we can solve many problems".

However, Saban wasn't about to make any commitments. He said:

"There are problems that have to be solved. Some lawsuits have to be solved. Until we get everything in order, we will not be able to have some kind of rules and who governs those rules, so we do not have litigation problems, and we don't have Title IX issues moving forward."

The legendary head coach continued:

"I am for the players getting paid. I just want it to be a system where everybody has a competitive balance so we do not lose the spirit of collegiate football.”

Nick Saban might have his eyes on the role in the future, but he wasn't about to throw his hat in the ring just yet.

What to expect from Alabama in 2024?

For the first time since 2006, the Crimson Tide will have a head coach other than Nick Saban. The program hired former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer, one of the better head coaches in the 2023 season.

We expect DeBoer and the Tide to be as competitive as ever in 2024. The franchise was inches away from making the CFB Championship Game in 2023, so they'll aim to make a better run in 2024.