Sports Media

Nick Saban and Greg Byrne Have Tested Positive For COVID-19

Anthony Fontanello / College Football / October 14, 2020

Nick Saban, Alabama football head coach, and Athletic Director Greg Byrne, have tested positive for COVID-19. Both left the Alabama facility immediately and are home self-isolating. Alabama played Ole Miss this past weekend, and contact tracers are at work tracking down who had contact with Saban and Byrne. As of this writing, they are the only two positives on the Alabama football staff.

Nick Saban and Greg Byrne Test Positive

At this point in time, the positive tests are limited to those two individuals.
Dr. Jimmy Robinson and Jeff Allen Alabama’s team doctor and Head athletic trainer

Alabama’s game this weekend is still on against Georgia. Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee game preparation.

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.
Nick Saban

More SEC Personal are Testing Positive for COVID.

The Florida and LSU game has already been postponed due to rising COVID cases among Florida football players. However, for the Alabama-Georgia game this weekend, it seems the game will still go on. A primetime matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the AP top-25. Nevertheless, the SEC would very much like not to have to cancel this game as Alabama and Georgia are both in the top-five and generate high viewer ratings. Big-Ten schools were nervous about COVID at first and originally canceled their seasons. Other conferences are already facing multiple positive tests on numerous teams.

Both Saban and the Byrne are asymptomatic and will continue to be monitored. They will remain in self-isolation until they have cleared the virus via The University of Alabama. As long as no one else on the team contracted COVID, Alabama will continue to practice and get ready for their game against Georgia.

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Saban isn’t the first college coach to get COVID, and he certainly won’t be the last. The SEC will have their work cut out for them to handle the COVID cases surging within the conference.