Days after COVID diagnosis, Saban coach Alabama cleared to coach vs. Georgia

Nick Saban can be on the Alabama sidelines and coaching the Crimson Tide on Saturday night after the team determined Saturday that a Wednesday COVID-19 test produced a false positive result.

Saturday’s showdown between Georgia and Alabama kicks off at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Saban underwent daily PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing after the initial positive. Because he was asymptomatic, a series of ensuing negative tests before Saturday’s kickoff means the original test is now considered a false positive.

Alabama opened as a 7-point favorite in the game. That was down to 5 points as of Saturday.

SEC statement on Nick Saban

“Upon being notified by the University of Alabama of a potential positive COVID-19 test result involving Nick Saban, the SEC Office provided and reviewed with the university the COVID-19 management requirements established by the SEC’s Medical Guidance Task Force and emphasized the need to comply with all local and state health policies.

“Consistent with the Conference’s COVID-19 management requirements, PAE, the third-party provider secured by the SEC to standardize and provide testing for the 14 member institutions, has utilized the authorized laboratory in processing and reporting the three tests 24 hours apart as necessary to satisfy the requirements of the Task Force policy regarding the handling of asymptomatic PCR positive tests.”

This story was originally published October 16, 2020 at 1:47 PM.