Alabama coach Nick Saban was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday, but he is asymptomatic and he may be coaching from the sideline on Saturday.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has one of their biggest games of the season this Saturday against the Georgia Bulldogs.
According to SEC guidelines, if an individual has three successive negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and remains asymptomatic, they may be “release from isolation and medically cleared to return to athletics activities only.”
Alabama is not permitted to release any information concerning the results of any further testing with Nick Saban.
Currently, Saban is in quarantine and he is prohibited from in-game communication with anyone on the staff and he cannot come to the stadium.
On his radio show, that he recorded from home on Thursday night, he told listeners, “I’m doing great. I don’t have any symptoms. I don’t have a fever.”
He also stated that he would like to be able to coach at the game against Georgia.
“I would hate to not be at the game Saturday if that’s what this turns out to be.”
Making the best of his situation Saban oversaw practice on Wednesday and Thursday via zoom.
Alabama football released this update Thursday: “Coach Saban was evaluated by our team physician Dr. Jimmy Robinson today. Coach remains asymptomatic at this point and is doing fine. He is continuing to self-isolate and will remain in the SEC testing protocol while being evaluated daily.”
If Saban has three negative tests, with the second two in a 24-hour period, he could be cleared to return to the team before Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa.
This story falls into my hypothesis that no one knows what this virus is, it’s all trial and error at this point.
I think Saban needs to chill out and go through the normal protocols and the full quarantine period to ensure he doesn’t pass the virus to someone else.
As a UGA fan, any competitive advantage we can get in the game on Saturday is welcomed.
If Saban is not cleared to coach on Saturday offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will take over the coaching duties for Alabama.
Do you think Nick Saban should be allowed to coach Saturday?
Source: ESPN
