Reviewed by: Pat Byington
NEW: Alabama head coach Nick Saban retiring, per sources
Reading time: 2 minutes
The moment Alabama football fans have been dreading has apparently come to pass. Multiple news outlets reported this afternoon that coach Nick Saban is retiring, ending speculation that has swirled about for the last couple of seasons.
ESPN’s Chris Low reported the news via social media earlier this afternoon.
Breaking: Alabama's head coach Nick Saban is retiring, sources tell @ClowESPN. pic.twitter.com/pCthok4rpb
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2024
A report by the Tuscaloosa News said Saban made the announcement Wednesday, ending a coaching tenure at the University of Alabama that may go down as the most legendary run in college football history.
Saban’s legacy at Bama
The numbers support the opinion that Saban may be the greatest college football coach of all time.
Here’s what he accomplished over his coaching career:
- 7 National titles (2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020)
- 11 SEC titles (2001, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2014–2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023)
- 1 MAC title (1990)
- 12 SEC Western Division titles (2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014-2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023)
- 123 NFL draft picks from Saban’s Alabama teams
- 2× Paul “Bear” Bryant Award (2003, 2020)
- 2× Walter Camp Coach of the Year (2008, 2018)
- George Munger Award (2016)
- Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (2014)
- 2× AP College Football Coach of the Year (2003, 2008)
- 2× Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (2003, 2008)
- Home Depot Coach of the Year (2008)
- Sporting News Coach of the Year (2008)
- Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year (2008)
- Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year (2009, 2011, 2012)
- 5× SEC Coach of the Year (2003, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2020)
That is one impressive resume. And that does not even touch the surface of the impact Saban has had on college football as a whole. The sport has changed exponentially during his career, from the BCS to the College Football Playoff, to NIL and the transfer portal — and Saban has been able to successfully adapt to the ever-changing game.
We have reached out to the university for comment and will update this report when we get a response.
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