Morgantown, WV — Nick Saban may go down as the greatest college football coach of all time, but on Tuesday, he reminded everyone where his heart truly lies.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the Fairmont, West Virginia native made it clear that his childhood allegiance still runs deep.
“I’m a Mountaineer at heart. That’s the team I grew up watching. I’d love to see them have success and beat Pitt next weekend!” – Nick Saban
Saban, who was born and raised just an hour from Morgantown, has never hidden his West Virginia roots. While his coaching career took him through Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, the NFL, and ultimately Alabama—where he became a legend—he grew up immersed in Mountaineer football.
Nick Saban: “I’m a Mountaineer at heart. I’d love to see #WVU beat Pitt!” pic.twitter.com/lfd1RtByJz
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) September 6, 2025
Hearing Saban talk about WVU so openly, especially heading into the Backyard Brawl against Pitt, is fuel for Mountaineer fans who already live for this rivalry.
It’s fitting that this statement came on The Pat McAfee Show. McAfee, another WVU icon, has long used his platform to highlight the Mountaineers. Pairing the voice of WVU’s modern era with the words of Saban, perhaps the greatest coach of all time, creates a perfect storm of Mountaineer pride.
West Virginia is trying to reclaim its national identity under Rich Rodriguez, and comments like Saban’s help reinforce the program’s legacy. For recruits, fans, and players alike, having someone of Saban’s stature say he’s rooting for WVU adds credibility and national buzz.
Nick Saban doesn’t hand out compliments lightly. For him to say he’s “a Mountaineer at heart” and to openly root for West Virginia to beat Pitt next weekend is a rallying cry for Mountaineer Nation.
The Backyard Brawl is already one of the most heated rivalries in college football—but with Saban pulling for WVU, the stakes feel even higher.
