Nick Saban, an imposing figure in college football coaching, is renowned for his strategy and perfectionism, accepting no excuses from his players and assistants. This reputation preceded his arrival at ESPN last year as a studio analyst on the award-winning College GameDay. While many anticipated Saban’s success in this new role, Jim Gaiero, the CGD lead producer for nine years, had some reservations. Gaiero confessed to The Athletic that he felt “definitely intimidated” by Saban’s presence on the show.
“Just because he’s Nick Saban,” Gaiero recounted. “I didn’t really know him that well. I thought he would be that same coach who’s yelling at Lane Kiffin and demanding perfection in everything we do. I was definitely intimidated. Now he busts my chops more than any human being. I am his punching bag, and it’s fun. He’s very funny and a ball-buster.” While everyone now sees Saban’s fun side on GameDay and in humorous commercials for Vrbo and Home Depot, Gaiero noted that Saban approaches learning the broadcasting business with utmost seriousness.
“He was always good on TV, and when the camera’s on, he’s on,” Gaiero stated. “So it was about learning things like how to introduce a point leading to an XO tape, or where to direct yourself during a conversation. I remember early in the season I told him, ‘If you are going to go to Dez (Desmond Howard) next, make sure you’re looking at Dez.’ He shot back, ‘Well, why didn’t you tell me this before?!’ I explained, ‘I didn’t want to give you everything at once.’ Every week we’ve added new elements, and he has grown significantly since the start of the season.”
Saban has earned praise for his work with ESPN, not only for his natural ability to adapt to live TV but also because of his seven national championships which establish his football knowledge. The same gravitas that once intimidated Gaiero commands attention from viewers for everything he says. “The thing is, whenever he makes a comment, everybody listens,” Gaiero remarked. “He doesn’t have throwaway comments. There are some analysts who tend to repeat what their co-analysts just said. It’s almost like an echo. But when he speaks, it’s a unique perspective that nobody else has ever had.”
