Saban to miss Iron Bowl after testing positive for COVID-19, has ‘very mild symptoms’

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November 25, 2020

University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban is set to miss Saturday’s Iron Bowl after testing positive for COVID-19.

Team physician Dr. Jimmy Robinson and UA Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine Jeff Allen made the announcement on Wednesday in a joint statement.

Saban experienced a false positive earlier in the season, but this situation is apparently different.

“This morning we received notification that Coach Saban tested positive for COVID-19. He has very mild symptoms, so this test will not be categorized as a potential false positive. He will follow all appropriate guidelines and isolate at home,” stated Robinson and Allen.

The Iron Bowl is scheduled to be played in Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

UPDATE 10:45 a.m.

Saban on an SEC teleconference told reporters that he is the only person within the Crimson Tide football program to have tested positive during this latest round of regular testing. The positive result reportedly came from a PCR test.

The legendary coach said he essentially only has a runny nose.

“I feel fine. I don’t really have anything significant. I don’t have a fever,” Saban added.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn