Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban has the coronavirus. Besides Saban, Athletic Director Greg Byrne also has the coronavirus.
No other football team member or the Athletic Department has tested positive for the virus besides Saban and Byrne. Contact tracing has begun.
Both men are now in self-isolation at home. They will be away from their jobs for at least two weeks.
“At this time, I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis,” Saban said in a statement. “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.”
Byrne said that he found out on Wednesday morning.
“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,” Byrne said.
Former head coach Steve Sarkisian will oversee the football operations until Saban returns. The offensive coordinator — who is now the interim head coach — will coach the team in their upcoming games, including this Saturday night when Alabama faces the Georgia Bulldogs.
Sarkisian previously served as the Washington Huskies and USC Trojans head coach. He has a 46-35 record as a head coach.
