Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

National reaction to news Alabama head coach Nick Saban is set to retire

Legendary head coach Nick Saban is set to retire and walk away from college football, according to ESPN’s Chris Low, who dropped the bombshell report on Wednesday afternoon.

Saban was hired by the University of Alabama in 2007 and has led the Crimson Tide to six National Championships and 11 Southeastern Conference championships.

Under Saban’s leadership, four skill players have won the Heisman Trophy (Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, DeVonta Smith, and Bryce Young), while the Crimson Tide has recorded 201 wins during his tenure.

If this truly is it for Saban, he’ll exit the college football coaching ranks with a college record of 292-71-1 and 16 consecutive seasons with a top-five recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

Current Eagles who played for Saban include Jalen Hurts, Landon Dickerson, Julio Jones, DeVonta Smith, Josh Jobe, Eli Ricks, and Tyler Steen.

With the news quickly trickling out, here’s the national reaction to a shocking day in the coaching community.

Anthony Russo

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh shakes hands with Alabama coach Nick Saban after U-M’s 27-20 overtime win over Alabama at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

Adam Schefter

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on during warm ups before the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Orlovsky

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban with his team as they take the field for pregame warmups before the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Voice of the Star

Jalen Hurts and Nick Saban after the SEC Championship Game in December 2018.Syndication Montgomery

John Clark

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Ari Meirov

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban talks to the media before the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Miller

Dec 31, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban at the Rose Bowl coaches press conference at the Sheraton Grand Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pat McAfee

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban walks on the field with his team before the start of the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Saban has been a Thursday guest on the Pat McAfee all season long, so tommorrow’s episode could break viewership records.

PFF

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban with his team as they take the field for pregame warmups before the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Ike Reese

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Quincy Avery

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh shakes hands with Alabama coach Nick Saban after U-M’s 27-20 overtime win over Alabama at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.