Alabama football coach Nick Saban tests positive for coronavirus

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football coach Nick Saban has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school announced Wednesday.

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Saban, 68, and athletic director Greg Byrne both tested positive for COVID-19, ESPN reported. The coach was informed of the positive test Wednesday.

In a statement, Saban said he does not have any symptoms.

“I informed our team of my positive test at 2 p.m. today on a Zoom call and let them know offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee preparations at the complex while I work from home,” Saban said.

Byrne said he is self-isolating and will work from home, ESPN reported.

“We’ve been diligent about mask wearing and social distancing from the start and want to continue to encourage you all to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of this virus for yourself and those around you,” Byrne said.

Alabama team doctor Jimmy Robinson said Saban and Byrne were the only two people around the football program who tested positive “at this point in time,” AL.com reported.

Saban has won national championships at Alabama and six overall. The Crimson Tide’s most recent NCAA title came after the 2017 season.

Saban also won a national title with LSU during the 2003 season.

No. 2 Alabama plays No. 3 Georgia on Saturday night. The status of that game remains unclear.

Two SEC games scheduled for the weekend have already been postponed after Vanderbilt and Florida had outbreaks. Vanderbilt was supposed to face Missouri, while Florida was to host LSU.

Saban’s diagnosis makes him the highest-profile COVID-19 case in college football, AL.com reported. Florida State coach Mike Norvell had to miss a game in September after testing positive. Former FSU coach Bobby Bowden announced that he had tested positive in early October.

Cox Media Group