You can argue that Nick Saban is the best coach in college football history.
Pat McAfee thinks the former Alabama coach could be even better as a member of the college football media. “It’s been great,” McAfee told 247Sports’ Alex Scarborough as part of an ESPN College GameDay behind-the-scenes profile. “He’ll be better on television than on the field. And that’s definitely a testament to all his hard work.”
While longtime cast members Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Lee Corso are still around, McAfee has become the new star of the show. This may seem odd given Saban’s quiet genial demeanor and McAfee’s larger-than-life personality, but apparently it works. “Pat has an innate ability to make everyone feel comfortable,” said producer Jim Gaiero, “Pat is respectful of him, but he doesn’t kiss ass. And I think that’s what sets Pat apart from others. If Nick Saban is in another show, I bet everyone kisses his ass But here, it’s just one of the guys, I think Pat has this crazy ability to please people and like to be open with him “the most unlikely bromance forever”.
When you step back, despite his reputation for appealing to a younger audience, McAfee seems to have an innate ability to connect with the older generation. Bill Belichick is a regular on his show, he and Saban have become great friends, and many seniors in the football world (and beyond) seem more than happy to chat with him. It’s all part of the larger phenomenon surrounding McAfee, which seems capable of covering multiple platforms and multiple audiences at once, despite missteps or controversies.