Former national championship-winning coach Nick Saban is now on the ESPN roster of college football analysts. That detail might not have sunk into Paul Finebaum yet.
While speaking on The Dan Patrick Show Friday, Finebaum admitted sitting on the same desk with someone like Saban — who he has both praised and been critical of in the past — was a unique feeling.
“It was intimidating,” the SEC Network and nationally syndicated radio host admitted. “We did a live 30-minute show on ESPN and it was by far the most — an hour show, I should say — the most intimidating 60 minutes I’ve ever spent. Every time (Laura) Rutledge would say ‘Well, Paul, what do you think about Alabama?’ and I’m looking and there’s the guy who left that program.”
Paul Finebaum joked that he later came to his senses and recognized that his insight would pale in comparison to that of Nick Saban, so he let the former Alabama coach become the star on that program.
“I finally adjusted after my first just non-sequitur. I said, ‘Great question. Coach, what’s your answer that?’ So he just answered everyone’s questions,” said Finebaum.
Nick Saban is slated to join Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Lee Corso on the desk of College GameDay in 2024.
