The WireStatus · ReportedImpact · low
Ohio State · Big Ten
Ohio State · Big TenNick Saban Reveals Ohio State Fired Him as a Defensive Assistant in 1981
Nick Saban spent part of his early coaching career at Ohio State before being fired in 1981, a detail that adds an unexpected chapter to his path through college football.
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The Pate State Wire DeskVerified reporting · full source list below · monitored by an editor
● Reported
AUG 22, 2026
AUG 22, 2026
01 · The NewsWhat Happened
Phil Harrison reports that Nick Saban said Ohio State fired him in 1981 while he was working as a defensive assistant. Saban’s Ohio State tenure came during Earle Bruce’s time as head coach. The report identifies Saban as a former Ohio State assistant who worked with defensive backs before his dismissal. No additional details about the circumstances of the firing, the conversation surrounding it, or Saban’s next move are provided.
Sourcing & standards: Reporting via Yahoo Sports. Produced by the Pate State Wire Desk under the site's verification rules, monitored by an editor. Corrections are timestamped, never silent.