LSU interim AD firmly shuts down Nick Saban coaching rumors: 'Not going to happen'

Joel Klatt reacted to the LSU Tigers firing Brian Kelly. He revealed who he thinks LSU should call to replace Brian Kelly as head coach. Joel also analyzes if the LSU head coaching job is the best coaching vacancy available.

A spotlight shines over Death Valley as the LSU Tigers search for their next head football coach.

While an Ed Orgeron reunion hasn’t been ruled out just yet, interim athletic director Verge Ausberry did cross a name off the list.

Nick Saban was floated as a potential candidate, and it was LSU alumnus and Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal who stirred the rumor mill after telling Us Weekly that he "heard through the grapevine" conversations had been held with Saban about getting him back on a sideline.

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Nick Saban speaks during ESPN's College GameDay at Vanderbilt University on Oct. 25, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Carly Mackler/Getty Images)

"That’d be awesome if we can bring Nick back," O’Neal told the outlet.

Ausberry, appearing on 104.5 ESPN, denied those rumors.

"Nick Saban and I have a standing conversation probably every two or three weeks," he said. "We’re good friends, first of all. He’s a person I admire a lot. Nick Saban was joking. No way he’s coming back to football, OK? Miss Terry’s not going to let him. That’s not going to happen. Let’s get that out of the way soon, because if he was and he was interested, I would drive down there and pick him up right now."

EX-LSU COACH ED ORGERON EXPRESSES INTEREST IN RETURNING TO TIGERS AFTER BRIAN KELLY FIRING: ‘PHONE CALL AWAY’

Saban’s dynasty run with the Alabama Crimson Tide gets all the attention, but his first national title came with the Tigers during his stint as head coach