This year’s Iron Bowl will be much different than years past. For the first time in 13 years, Alabama will be managed on the sidelines by someone other than Nick Saban.
Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday with mild symptoms, ruling him out for Saturday’s game against Auburn.
During an appearance on College GameDay, Saban gave another update on his status and health a few days after his original diagnosis.
“I never was that sick,” Saban said. “So I’m feeling fine, thanks for against.”
Since Saban tested positive he will not be able to coach in today’s game in any form or fashion. Per the SEC-mandated rules, no coach can have any virtual contact with the team within 90 minutes until kickoff.
Saban is not as big of a fan of the rule now that COVID-19 has impacted coaches across college football.
“It’s a rule we put in because of the (expanded) technology in the game, but I don’t think there is flexibility in the rule that wasn’t really created for COVID,” Saban said. “It’s a bit of a punishment for having an illness. But it’s one of those things we all have to do (in 2020) that have unintended consequences.”
Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be taking up head coaching duties today with Saban’s absence and Saban also shared that the team would be adding an on-field coach for the Iron Bowl today.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
