The biggest name in college football, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation at home, according to the university.
“I found out earlier this afternoon that I had tested positive for COVID-19,” Saban said on Wednesday. “I immediately left work and isolated at home. At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis.”
In addition to the 68-year-old coach, Alabama’s 48-year-old athletic director Greg Byrne also tested positive for the virus, the university said. In Saban’s absence, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian “will oversee operations” for the Crimson Tide.
Elsewhere in the Southeastern Conference, LSU’s scheduled game at Florida this Saturday has been rescheduled for December 12 because of a spike of COVID-19 cases within the Gators football program. Prior to the game being postponed, the University of Florida suspended all athletic activities after 21 football players and two assistant coaches tested positive.
The SEC has also been forced to suspend Missouri-Vanderbilt due to coronavirus concerns.
Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt, a former Saban assistant, called Wednesday “a tough day.”
“It’s the reality,” Pruitt said. “I don’t think there’s probably any family across our country that has not been affected during this pandemic.”
For now, No. 2 Alabama’s game with No. 3 Georgia is still set to be played this weekend, but that could change if there are more positive tests in the Crimson Tide locker room.
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