Nick Saban, one of the most successful coaches in college football history, announced his retirement on Wednesday after 17 seasons as the head coach at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Saban, 72, has won seven national championships in his career, six of which came at Alabama.
He stated that his time at Alabama was special to him and his wife, Terry, as they enjoyed being part of the Tuscaloosa community. He emphasized that the focus was not just on wins and losses but on creating a lasting legacy, building players’ futures, and helping them succeed in life. Saban expressed that Alabama would always be their home.
Saban completed his 17th season at Alabama, which ended with a loss to national champion Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He won 201 games at Alabama, tied for the second-most wins at a single school in SEC history, behind only Bear Bryant’s 232 wins. Saban helped return Alabama to greatness, winning six national titles and nine SEC championships, following in the footsteps of Bryant, who won 13 SEC titles and six national championships.
Greg Byrne, Alabama’s athletic director, praised Saban as one of the greatest coaches of all time and emphasized the long-lasting impact he has had on the program. Saban made the announcement to his players first before it went public, and sources revealed that he had been interviewing potential assistant coaches just an hour before making the decision.
He explained to his players that his decision was carefully thought out, and that changes in college football, such as the introduction of the transfer portal and NIL, had influenced his choice to retire.
Saban’s coaching career spanned 28 years, including stops at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, the Miami Dolphins, and Alabama. He never had a losing season and led LSU to a national title in 2003. At Alabama, he won 201 games in 17 seasons, which is more than the 171 games Alabama won between Bryant’s retirement and Saban’s hiring.
His record at Alabama includes winning 11 SEC championships and appearing in the College Football Playoff eight times in 10 seasons.
Saban is ranked sixth in all-time wins for FBS college football coaches, with a 292-71-1 record. He had a strong career at Alabama, where he guided the Crimson Tide to multiple national titles, including undefeated seasons in 2009 and 2020. His ability to recruit was unmatched, securing a record 49 first-round NFL draft picks, including 44 from Alabama.
Saban coached four Heisman Trophy winners during his time at Alabama, and his recruiting classes consistently ranked among the best in the country. Alabama’s success on the field also matched their success in the classroom, with hundreds of degrees earned by players during his tenure.
Saban’s influence extended beyond football, as he and his wife Terry were deeply involved in community efforts through the Nick’s Kids Foundation, which has donated millions to various causes.
Although Saban’s time at Alabama has ended, his legacy will continue to impact the program. His coaching tree includes many successful head coaches, such as Kirby Smart, Steve Sarkisian, and Lane Kiffin. Saban’s teams were consistently at the top of the rankings, and his retirement marks the end of an era for Alabama football.
Alabama’s athletic director, Greg Byrne, mentioned that the search for a new coach will be thorough and efficient, with the focus on recruiting, player development, and leadership.
After the news of Saban’s retirement, Alabama’s odds to win next season’s national championship shifted, moving from 6-1 to 8-1. The program now looks ahead to finding a new coach to continue the success Saban built during his 17 years at Alabama.
