Nick Saban is widely considered to be the greatest coach in college football history.
Despite being 72-years-old, Saban gave off no signs that retirement was anywhere near his radar as the 2023 season played out.
The Crimson Tide lost an absolute heartbreaker to the Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoff.
As crushing as that defeat was, as soon as the season ended, Alabama fans were thinking about how special the 2024 Tide could be.
So was Saban … That’s until the harsh reality of modern-day college football smacked him right in the face.
While speaking to his players, he reportedly kept getting asked about NIL money and playing-time guarantees. It was then that he decided to announce his sudden and abrupt retirement.
The news came as an absolute shock at first. But plenty of time has passed since that stunning day.
Saban is now gearing up for his new role as an analyst on ESPN’s ultra-popular College GameDay. Meanwhile, the supremely talented Kalen DeBoer has taken over the coaching reins in Tuscaloosa.
As it turns out, Saban’s work for ESPN won’t be his only source of income in “retirement.”
The seven-time national champion has been assigned an advisory role at Alabama that will pay him $500,000 per year.
Though this figure is a significant decrease from his $11 million coaching salary, it still adds a substantial sum to his earnings.
The specifics of Saban’s new administrative role remain unclear, but Alabama has indicated that he will continue to be involved with the program for at least the next year.
Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne discussed Saban’s transition during an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show” in January.
“He is going to be an advisor for us,” Byrne stated. “He’s been awesome. He and I talked during the coaching search.
“I mean, somebody asked me, ‘Was he involved?’ I was like, ‘Man, I’m not very smart.’ Many people know that, but I’m smart enough to know when you have a chance to have Nick Saban involved with talking about coaching and football and decision-making and leadership, shame on me if I don’t take advantage of that.”
While some fans have pointed to a potential conflict of interest with Saban being both a University of Alabama employee and an ESPN analyst, the fact of the matter is we know this type of stuff happens all the time.
There have been several examples of this type of arraignment in the past. (Let alone the fact that if anyone has deserved such a role, it’s Saban.)
Also, it’s not like he’s going to treat his advisory role as some sort of no-show job. We all know about Saban’s legendary work-ethic and the pride he takes in everything he does.
Love him or hate him, we know he will put in honest work in his new role.
As Alabama prepares to enter the post-Saban era, his ongoing presence as an advisor will undoubtedly influence the program.
While he will be aware not to interfere with DeBoer or step on too many toes, those in the program know he will be there if they need him.
The Crimson Tide will kick-off their 2024 season on August 31 against Western Kentucky, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the storied program.
What are your thoughts on Saban’s advisor salary?
Do you look at it as a conflict of interest or some sort of double-dipping move? … Or do you think that’s a whole bunch of nonsense?
How do you think Saban will be in his new role on College GameDay?
Is he indeed the greatest coach in college football history?
What about DeBoer? … Was he the right man to take over for Saban? … Is Alabama in good hands with him at the helm???