No matter how much time passes, it’s going to be very hard getting used to not seeing Nick Saban patrol the sidelines throughout the SEC.
Saban shocked the college football world with his sudden and abrupt retirement announcement shortly following Alabama’s crushing Playoff loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl.
No matter how much anyone tries to downplay it, we all know the reckless Wild Wild West ways of college football is what drove Saban to his early retirement.
No old-school coach wants to deal with the never-ending headaches that NIL and the transfer portal present.
While the NCAA is reportedly nearing an agreement on a revenue-sharing system which will (hopefully) help matters, the fact is we have entered a new age of college football and there is no going back.
“Adapt or die,” they say … Some coaches are adapting better than others (Smart, Kiffin, Lanning). While some have little interest in doing so (Swinney).
(By the way, I don’t mean that as a shot at Dabo – I actually love and respect his style and stubbornness.)
When it comes to Saban, the 72-year-old legend decided it was best to just step away.
The final straw seems to have been an eye-opening experience he had immediately following the season-ending loss to Michigan.
While Saban was meeting with players, solely focused on what needs to be done to win the national title next season, all the majority of the players wanted to talk about was money…
“I thought we could have a hell of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80 percent of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?” Saban said at the time.
“Our program here was always built on how much value can we create for your future and your personal development, academic success in graduating and developing an NFL career on the field,” he added.
But now that we’re a few months removed, some are wondering if Saban has any regrets over his surprising decision to step down.
All competitors inevitably feel an itch to return at some point in their retirement, especially someone like Saban who has spent his entire life in coaching.
Has that itch arrived for Saban? … Is there any possible way he decides to return to coaching???
During last week’s NFL Draft, Saban revealed the one thing that would cause him to return to the sidelines.
“If they would’ve come back, I would’ve come back,” he said, referring to the numerous Tide stars who entered the NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, Saban was just joking around … He’s retired. And he’s retired for good.
He surely won’t be a stranger to the college football world, however. Set to join ESPN’s ultra-popular “College GameDay,” Saban will remain in our lives for years to come.
If college football ever breaks away from the NCAA, Saban should be the first person called to be the new body’s Commissioner.
Throughout his career, Saban’s been called hypocritical. He’s been called disingenuous. He’s been called a snake. He’s been called a sore loser. He’s been called much worse…
However, if you’re looking at it fairly and clearly, there is no better representative of college football than Nick Saban.
Saban walks away with a 292–71–1 career record. His remarkable SEVEN national championships will be remembered forever.
Most importantly, Saban leaves a lasting legacy and is undoubtedly the greatest coach in college football history.
Sorry for the click-baity title, but it’s nice to see Saban spread his wings and show a little humor and personality in his post-coaching days.
With Saban gone, who is now the best coach in the country? … Is it old friend Kirby Smart?
Will there ever be a college coach who eclipses Saban as the greatest of all-time???