Alabama head coach Nick Saban, AD Greg Bryne could be sidelined for Georgia game Saturday
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide leads his team onto the field prior to the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught Hemingway Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Kent Gidley/Collegiate Images/Getty Images
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne have tested positive for COVID-19, four days before the Southeastern Conference’s biggest regular-season showdown.
Both said their tests Wednesday morning came back positive, but Saban said he didn’t have any symptoms by late afternoon. The second-ranked Crimson Tide is set to face No. 3 Georgia on Saturday, and may be without their iconic 68-year-old coach.
The second-ranked Crimson Tide is set to face No. 3 Georgia on Saturday and may be without their iconic 68-year-old coach. Saban said he immediately left the football building to isolate at home.
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In a statement released Wednesday, Saban wrote:
"I found out earlier this afternoon that I had tested positive for COVID-19. I immediately left work and isolated at home. At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis. 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."
In a statement released Wednesday, Byrne wrote:
"Today, I received notice that my COVID-19 test from this morning came back positive. Upon hearing the news, I immediately entered self-isolation and will remain at home and follow all guidelines. We've been diligent about mask wearing and social distancing from the start and want to continue to encourage you all to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of this virus for yourself and those around you."
Statement released by the University of Alabama on Oct. 14, 2020. (University of Alabama)
The Southeastern Conference had to postpone two games in the last three days because of positive COVID-19 tests.
No. 10 Florida’s game against defending national champion LSU was postponed Wednesday to tentatively Dec. 12 after the SEC postponed Missouri-Vanderbilt on Monday. More positive tests could derail other games after the league waited until the end of September to kick off the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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