With ESPN’s College GameDay posting up in Columbia, South Carolina this week, it’s no surprise Gamecocks superfan Darius Rucker made the trip back to campus.
It’s even less of a surprise that he brought his guitar with him, and still less surprising that he got up on stage to play his popular cover Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel”.
What was surprising about it all was just how much former Alabama coach Nick Saban got into the performance.
The coach, who for years was defined by his gruff, no-nonsense demeanor, was swaying along with Pat McAfee and singing word-for-word with Rucker while flashing a massive smile.
It was the most definitive sign yet that he’s fully retired. Yes, even more so than cussing on his College GameDay debut.
Darius Rucker performs 'Wagon Wheel' in Columbia on College GameDay.
Nick Saban: "Every Saturday night we had a karaoke party at our house in recruiting, and the No. 1 requested song was 'Wagon Wheel'!" 🏈📺🎙️🎶 pic.twitter.com/XomYWX69YR
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 14, 2024
Saban said he often has a karaoke night at his house and “Wagon Wheel” is the top song requested.
Just mind-blowing stuff to hear if you’ve watched his career for the past two decades. College fans were shook.
Nick Saban singing Wagon Wheel with Pat McAfee is a core memory for me now.
— Maroon Buffoon (@MaroonBuffoons) September 14, 2024
Pat McAfee and Nick Saban singing Wagon Wheel together is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen 😭😂😭
— Alex 🤙 (@GamecockSheriff) September 14, 2024
I didn't have Nick Saban and @PatMcAfeeShow singing Wagon Wheel on #collegegameday on my bingo card. But I love it!!
— Brad Holdgreve (@FindlayBuckeye) September 14, 2024
Nick Saban singing Wagon Wheel just cured something in me
— Jenna (@IngloriousJ) September 14, 2024
COLLEGE GAMEDAY WAGON WHEEL. OH MY GOD NICK SABAN IS SINGING ALONG. I NEVER KNEW I NEEDED THIS SO BAD
— waka fawksa flame (@dumbledonk) September 14, 2024
The duetting Pat McAfee & Nick Saban singing along to Wagon Wheel was the karaoke superteam we didn’t know we needed. Absolute scenes in Columbia, SC
Gamecocks brought game 👏 pic.twitter.com/MjK4uV9ZLq— George Somerville (@geosomerville) September 14, 2024
