Nick Saban brought some early morning humor to ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew, delivering a memorable zinger aimed at fellow broadcaster Steve Coughlin, better known as “Stanford Steve,” during Saturday’s live broadcast. The popular pregame show was set at the University of California, Berkeley, for the first time in its history, and the Cal-Stanford rivalry was quickly brought to the forefront.
Coughlin, a former tight end for Stanford, couldn’t resist poking fun at the Cal students in the audience. Decked out in a Stanford zip-up, he took a playful jab at the crowd behind him.
“I am biased though when it comes to the Cal fans,” Coughlin said with a smirk. “Whenever I played in that stadium it was sold out, they do a great job. But I also wonder how many of these people are here because they didn’t get into Stanford.”
The cheeky comment fired up the Cal fans, with Pat McAfee adding to the moment by yelling, “Shots fired!” But it was Nick Saban who stole the show with his quick-witted response.
Without missing a beat, Saban, the legendary Alabama head coach turned occasional ESPN analyst, delivered a cutting clapback. “If it was so great at Stanford, why did you have a girlfriend here at Cal?” Saban quipped, much to the delight of the rest of the “College GameDay” crew.
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The panel burst into laughter, with hosts standing up in shock and applauding the unexpected zinger. Even Coughlin himself leaned back in his chair, unable to contain his laughter, while McAfee, clearly impressed by Saban’s timing, patted the coach on the arm and said, “Good question, coach.”
Whether or not Coughlin ever had a girlfriend at Cal remains unclear, but it was obvious that Saban’s playful comment hit its mark. It was a rare moment of humor from the usually reserved coach, whose deadpan delivery left everyone on set in stitches.
Cal, which was hosting “College GameDay” for the first time, had already drawn a massive and enthusiastic crowd for the live broadcast.
The Cal students were out in full force, arriving early to secure spots on camera, and their energy didn’t go unnoticed. Even though Cal’s football team isn’t always in the national title conversation, the Golden Bears’ fans are known for their school spirit, and they made sure to show it on this historic occasion.
The day’s festivities, however, took a bittersweet turn for Cal later that evening when the football team suffered a heartbreaking loss. In a thrilling late-night game against No. 8 Miami, the Golden Bears watched as their 25-point lead evaporated, eventually falling 39-38 in an ACC showdown.
Miami’s comeback spoiled what had otherwise been a memorable day for Cal football and its fans, who had relished the excitement of hosting “College GameDay” on campus for the first time.
Despite the loss, the broadcast gave Cal a moment in the national spotlight, with Nick Saban’s witty exchange serving as a lighthearted highlight from an eventful day in Berkeley.
