Iconic Coach Gets COVID Right Before Big Game

Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban says he's isolating at home
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 14, 2020 5:54 PM CDT
Iconic Coach Gets COVID Right Before Big Game
In this Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Alabama coach Nick Saban leads his team to the field before an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo.   (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)

Alabama coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne have tested positive for COVID-19, three days before the second-ranked Crimson Tide is set to face No. 3 Georgia in a clash of Southeastern Conference and national powers, the AP reports. Both said their tests Wednesday morning came back positive, but Saban said he didn't have any symptoms by late afternoon. "I immediately left work and isolated at home," Saban said. The second-ranked Crimson Tide is set to face No. 3 Georgia on Saturday, and may be without their iconic 68-year-old coach who remained scheduled to talk with the media Wednesday evening. Saban said he informed the team via Zoom and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee game preparations while he works from home.

Sarkisian is a former head coach at Washington and USC. Saban has led Alabama to five national titles since taking over the program in 2007, and also won one at LSU. It was another body blow for the SEC, which had postponed two games this week already: No. 10 Florida against defending national champion LSU and Missouri-Vanderbilt. Alabama's head trainer Jeff Allen and medical director Jimmy Robinson said in a joint statement that Saban and Byrne were the only initial positive tests. "All individuals who are considered high risk contacts have been notified and will follow quarantine guidelines," the statement said. "We will follow the SEC's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force Protocol for testing asymptomatic positives."

(More COVID-19 stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X