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Alabama HC Nick Saban Tests Negative, Could Return to Sideline for Georgia Game

Nick Saban has tested negative for COVID-19, opening the door for his possible return to the sideline for Alabama’s game Saturday against the Georgia Bulldogs. SEC guidelines say the 68-year-old head coach will need to test negative three times before he can rejoin the team, USA Today reported.

Alabama’s head athletic trainer Jeff Allen said Saban has remained asymptomatic since testing positive on Wednesday. His first negative test was on Thursday. Moreover, doctors test Saban every day, ESPN reported

“Coach Saban was evaluated again today by Dr. Robinson. He continues to be asymptomatic and without fever. We are continuing to follow the SEC Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force Protocol for testing asymptomatic positives. A PCR test was repeated Thursday by the SEC appointed lab and was negative. For clarification, the initial positive result came from an outside lab we’ve used to supplement the SEC mandated testing. He will continue to remain in isolation and receive daily PCR tests. Should he have three negative PCR tests through the SEC appointed lab, each 24 hours apart, the initial test would be considered a false positive pursuant to SEC protocols and he would be allowed to return.” 

Saban must remain in isolation at his Tuscaloosa home until he has three negative tests, each 24 hours apart, SEC rules say.

Nick Saban said he has ‘felt fine’

Despite the positive test, Saban said he “felt fine” during a Wednesday press conference, according to AL.com. Saban’s daughter tweeted Wednesday that her dad was still running practice from a Zoom call.

“No symptoms. He’s literally coaching practice from a Zoom call. (I had permission to say this),” she wrote.

https://twitter.com/KristenSabanS/status/1316508223311052802

Alabama faces off against Georgia at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Both teams are undefeated.

Saban is in his 14th season as head coach of Alabama. During that time he has accrued a record of 155-23. Further, he has notched five national championships. His run with the Crimson Tide has left him unquestionably in the conversation for the greatest coaches of all time.

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