LSU Interim AD Verge Ausberry Responds to Shaquille O’Neal’s Nick Saban Claim
In a recent turn of events, LSU’s interim athletic director Verge Ausberry has shot down rumors that Alabama head coach Nick Saban is in the mix for LSU’s football coaching vacancy.
The rumors first surfaced when NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal made a bold claim during an interview, suggesting that LSU had already reached out to Saban about the potential opening.
However, Ausberry swiftly addressed the speculation, ensuring that there is no truth to the assertion that LSU has made contact with the renowned coach.
The rumors began circulating when O’Neal, a proud LSU alum, appeared on a popular podcast. During the conversation, O’Neal remarked that the university had been in discussions with Saban about the possibility of him returning to LSU, where he was once the defensive coordinator under Nick Saban’s predecessor, Jerry DiNardo. O’Neal, known for his larger-than-life personality and occasional off-the-cuff comments, seemed to have sparked a firestorm of speculation among LSU fans and the college football world.
However, Ausberry quickly moved to dismiss these claims, setting the record straight and ensuring that no such talks had taken place. “There is absolutely no truth to that,” Ausberry stated emphatically. “We have not spoken to Nick Saban, nor is he a candidate for our head coach position.”
The speculation regarding Saban’s future at LSU comes at a time of heightened attention on the Tigers’ football program. LSU is in the midst of a search for a new head coach after parting ways with previous coach Brian Kelly, and fans and media alike are eager to know who will be the next to take the reins of the storied program.
Saban’s name has been frequently mentioned in coaching rumors over the years, especially considering his immense success at Alabama. Under Saban’s leadership, Alabama has become a powerhouse in college football, winning multiple national championships and dominating the Southeastern Conference.
His success has earned him a legendary status in the sport, and naturally, the idea of him returning to LSU, where he spent four years as the head coach from 2000 to 2004, generates intense interest.
Despite the media frenzy surrounding the rumor, Ausberry’s quick rebuttal underscores LSU’s commitment to its ongoing coaching search and signals that there is no imminent move to bring Saban back to Baton Rouge.
The LSU athletic department, under the direction of Ausberry, remains focused on identifying the right leader to guide the program moving forward.
While the Nick Saban rumor has been officially debunked, the question of who will be LSU’s next head football coach remains unanswered. The Tigers have a rich football tradition, and whoever steps into the role will face the high expectations that come with leading one of the nation’s premier college football programs.
As the coaching search continues, LSU fans will be closely watching for any new developments, but for now, one thing is clear: Nick Saban won’t be making a return to Baton Rouge in the immediate future.