Nick Saban-Pat McAfee ‘bromance’ driving new-look ‘College GameDay’

You could make the case that Nick Saban is the greatest head coach in college football history.

Pat McAfee thinks the former Alabama head coach could be even better as a member of the college football media.

“He’s been awesome,” McAfee told 247Sports’ Alex Scarborough as part of a behind-the-scenes profile of ESPN College GameDay. “He’s gonna be better on TV than he was on the sideline somehow. And that’s obviously a testament to all his hard work.”

While longtime members Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and Lee Corso are still there, McAfee has broken out as the new star of the show. Saban, in his first season behind the desk instead of on the sidelines, seems primed to join him as the show’s new dynamic duo. And business is booming.

That might seem off given Saban’s quiet genius demeanor and McAfee’s larger-than-life persona, but apparently, it works.

“Pat has an innate ability to make anybody feel comfortable,” producer Jim Gaiero said, “Pat’s respectful to him but he’s not kissing his ass. And I think that’s what separates Pat from other people. If Nick Saban is on another show, I bet everybody’s gonna be kissing his butt. But here he’s just one of the guys and we’re gonna bust your stones. I think Pat has this crazy ability to make people like him and like to be open around him.”

Another GameDay crew member referred to the relationship as “The most unlikely bromance of all time.”

When you take a step back, despite having a reputation for attracting young audiences, McAfee does seem to have an innate ability to connect with the older generation. Bill Belichick is a regular on his show, he and Saban have become fast friends, and plenty of older folks from around the football world (and beyond) seem more than happy to chat with him.

It’s all part of the larger phenomenon surrounding McAfee, who seems capable of straddling many platforms and audiences at once despite any missteps or controversy.

[24/7]