A football coaching giant who won seven national championships announced the end of his iconic career.
After 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, Alabama football coach Nick Saban said he is retiring Wednesday, breaking the news to his players before going public in a statement.
“The University of Alabama has been a very special place to Terry and me,” the 72-year-old coach said in a statement.
“We have enjoyed every minute of our 17 years being the head coach at Alabama as well as becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. It is not just about how many games we won and lost, but it’s about the legacy and how we went about it. We always tried to do it the right way,” Saban, who has coached Alabama since 2007, said.
“The goal was always to help players create more value for their future, be the best player they could be and be more successful in life because they were part of the program,” he added. “Hopefully, we have done that, and we will always consider Alabama our home.”
With no losing seasons in his 28 years as a college head coach, Saban was reportedly getting frustrated with “what college football had turned into,” according to what sources reportedly told ESPN’s Chris Lowe. “He’s all about team and building a team and developing players, and now the only thing that seems to matter is who can get what in the NIL and who can get the biggest deal.”
The startling news about Saban was followed on Thursday by reports that Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are parting ways after 24 seasons and winning six Super Bowls.
“Under his leadership, the Patriots won six Super Bowls, tied for most by a franchise in NFL history, with nine Super Bowl appearances. Belichick has more Super Bowl appearances as a head coach than every franchise save one, the Patriots (11),” according to the NFL. “The 71-year-old coach generated 296 total wins with the Patriots, including playoffs, the second-most by any head coach with a single franchise in NFL history behind George Halas with the Bears (324).”
After Bill Belichick’s exit from New England today, both the greatest coach in pro football history AND college football history have ended their historic runs in less than 24 hours from one another.
Fitting for two good friends and the two greatest to ever do it. pic.twitter.com/TwPgVYMsUt
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) January 11, 2024
Unlike Saban, Belichick’s departure from the New England team is not an announcement of his retirement, however.
Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne weighed in on the stunning news about Saban.
“Simply put, Nick Saban is one of the greatest coaches of all time, in any sport, and The University of Alabama is fortunate to have had him leading our football program for the past 17 seasons,” he said. “Throughout his career as a head coach, his teams have won seven national championships, 11 conference championships and 312 games, and he’s developed an NCAA-record 49 NFL first-round draft picks and, most importantly, hundreds of college graduates. He is the consummate coach, mentor and leader, and his impact is felt far beyond the football field.”
According to ESPN:
He made a two-year foray into the NFL with the Miami Dolphins before returning to college football to revive one of college football’s most storied programs, which hadn’t won a national title in 15 years. He won more games in 17 seasons at Alabama (201) than the Crimson Tide won in the 24 seasons between Bryant’s retirement and Saban’s hiring (171).
Saban is 292-71-1 as a college coach, ranking him sixth all time in the FBS in wins, and 12th in NCAA college football history regardless of division. He led Toledo to a Mid-American Conference championship in 1990, his lone season as that program’s coach. He then worked as Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns for four seasons before becoming the first Michigan State coach to lead his first three teams to bowl games and then taking LSU to the 2003 national title.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Words cannot adequately express our appreciation to Coach Saban for his exemplary leadership and service to The University of Alabama over the past 17 years,” said Alabama President Stuart R. Bell. “His commitment to excellence has set the standard for our program, both on the field and in the classroom. We are grateful for the lasting impact he has made on the lives of our student-athletes and the incredible memories his teams have created for our students, alumni, fans and supporters.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.