The University of Alabama issued the following statement.
Alabama's Nick Saban, who has won more college football national championships than any coach in the modern era, announced his retirement on Wednesday.
"The University of Alabama has been a very special place to Terry and me," Saban said. "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. 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. Hopefully, we have done that, and we will always consider Alabama our home."
Saban spent 28 years as a college head coach at Toledo (1990), Michigan State (1995-99), LSU (2000-04) and Alabama (2007-23). He won seven national titles in those 28 years, his first at LSU in 2003 before capturing six championships at Alabama (2009, 2011-12, 2015, 2017 and 2020). He also coached the Miami Dolphins for two seasons (2005-06).
"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," said Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. "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.
"Coach Saban and Ms. Terry have touched countless lives in our community and the state of Alabama with the work they've done through the Nick's Kids Foundation. While his time as our coach may have come to an end, his legacy will live on forever. What an honor it has been for us to have a front-row seat to one of the best to ever do it. A truly remarkable career for Coach Saban."
Saban's teams won three national championships during the Bowl Championship Series era and three more after the start of the College Football Playoff. In 10 seasons of the CFP, Saban's Crimson Tide teams qualified eight times.
"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.
"Coach Saban and Ms. Terry are tremendous ambassadors for The University of Alabama and our community and we celebrate their many contributions and indelible legacy."
Saban compiled a 297-71-1 (.806) collegiate coaching record, including a 206-29 (.877) mark in Tuscaloosa. His teams won a combined 11 SEC titles, going 11-1 in SEC Championship Games, including nine at Alabama (9-1 record) and two at LSU (2-0 mark). He also won 15 games with the Dolphins in 2005-06.
In Saban's six national championship seasons at Alabama, his teams went 21-2 against top-10 opponents, and, since 2008, the Crimson Tide was 37-15 overall against top-10 teams. Alabama was also ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll for at least one week for 15 straight years (2008-22), which broke the record of seven established by Miami (1986-92).
Saban coached four Heisman Trophy winners, joining Notre Dame's Frank Leahy for the most in college football history. He is the only coach to ever coach Heisman Trophy winners at three different positions (RB, WR, QB). The Alabama program had just six individual national award winners when Saban arrived on campus, but Crimson Tide players have secured 60 national awards since 2008.
His players at Alabama have won 66 All-America honors by 58 different individuals over the past 16 seasons. Eight players have been named two-time All-Americans along with 46 consensus honors and 25 unanimous selections. Will Anderson Jr. became the first two-time unanimous All-American in Alabama history.
Saban's success has also translated to NFL success for his players with a record 49 players chosen in the first round of the draft (44 at Alabama). His Alabama players have been paid over $2 billion over the last 16 NFL seasons.
Alabama's success on the field over the past 17 seasons has coincided with the Tide's success in the classroom. Since Saban's arrival in 2007, Alabama football has seen a total of 656 degrees earned, including 103 master's degrees.
The Sabans Nick's Kids Foundation is a vibrant example of the family's continuing concern for disadvantaged children. Since Nick and Terry arrived in Tuscaloosa, over $12 million has been distributed to students, teachers and children's causes at over 150 charities through the Nick's Kids Foundation.
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaFTBL on X and Facebook and AlabamaFBL on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on X and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
39 comments:
The GOAT retires, but it is completely irrelevant here in the third world crime capitol city. Stay focused with your posts.
10:50, could you please "focus your posts" a bit more clearly? I have no idea what you're trying to say.
May he enjoy his retirement as long as President James Knox Polk did.
The next Bama coach will be Lanning or Norvell. It will not be Lane, he's too immature for Bama and didn't have a graceful exit from there.
I'm surprised the governor of Alabama has not declared a state of emergency yet.
10:50, go watch your Taylor Swift videos.
Gov Kay Ivey is an Auburn grad.
Bama’s historic run with Saban for the past 15+ years has generated multitudes of sidewalk alumni and band wagon fans in MS with no connection to the state or university of Alabama. As Bama kept winning, these annoying douche bags would get louder and more abrasive at work, family gatherings, etc. Bama will inevitably back slide from its glory years, regardless of who they select as their new coach and I look forward to calling out these idiots when they no longer act like obnoxious super fans. Schadenfreude is a wonderful thing. Saban is the goat and I respect what he has accomplished; however I loathe the trash redneck fans that flocked to the program like flies on shit.
8:22 You paint with a wide brush, don't you?
He's scared of Lebby and the Dogs!
Rebelblack bear sharks school is going to loose Kiffin to Bama. Old piss fans thought they were movin on up lol…Hail State!!!
8:22, not all of the fans are bad however I agree they have more than there fair share of jack wagons that latched on to a winning program.
Lane has been groomed for that job. Good money says Lane will be the next coach at Bama. I know there are haters out there that will say its not so, but he will be the coach, bank on it.
The good thing that will come out of this, is that the bandwagon riders will slowly slide into the abyss, never to be seen or heard from again. Bama's fanbase was just cut in half.
Who's the NCAA going to protect now?
Who's the NCAA going to protect now?
@8:22am - Bravo, nailed it.
Ole Miss grad here...
Nick Saban is the greatest college football coach of all time. Whine, moan, insult, gloat over his leaving, whatever, but facts are facts. He was a great developer of players and coaches and a class act. He did it the right way and was incredibly successful.
College football has changed a lot in the last few years. Saban has been vocal about his unease with the changes - mostly NIL and the Portal - and he did not embrace the Portal. I think he is choosing to leave a) because of those reasons, and b) because the man is 72 years old and had a fantastic career. I think he wants to retire b/c he's ready to retire. He's not afraid of Georgia or anyone else.
And Kiffin will not be Alabama's next coach. If Alabama called, you better get out of his way, because he'd run over his own grandmother to get there, but Alabama won't be calling. Per 6.42 AM, he did not leave Bama on great terms, and he has other history that the alumni and boosters probably wouldn't want to touch. There are other candidates that are a better fit.
9:49,
State fan here. Your engaging in wishful thinking. Kiffin is going to Tuscalosa and nothing old piss can do about it.
State fan here, i wish Kiffin was leaving Oxford, but there is no way.
Agree that IF they asked, the Lane train would be gone.
But they are not going to ask him.
I hope I am wrong though!
Kiffin, Norvell or whoever the hell, imagine having to follow up after Saban! Good luck with that.
G.
"Anonymous said...
Bama’s historic run with Saban for the past 15+ years has generated multitudes of sidewalk alumni and band wagon fans in MS with no connection to the state or university of Alabama. As Bama kept winning, these annoying douche bags would get louder and more abrasive at work, family gatherings, etc. Bama will inevitably back slide from its glory years, regardless of who they select as their new coach and I look forward to calling out these idiots when they no longer act like obnoxious super fans. Schadenfreude is a wonderful thing. Saban is the goat and I respect what he has accomplished; however I loathe the trash redneck fans that flocked to the program like flies on shit.
January 11, 2024 at 8:22 AM"
I know two Bama alums, although both are big football fans, neither have Bama stickers on their cars, nor name their kids Bryant, Bear, Nick or Saban. The bandwagon fans make the entire fanbase looked down upon.
9:11 & 9:56, come back and comment when/if you win another egg bowl - we may give your opinion some weight then.
Kiffin nibbled at the LSU job and there was no return interest. Doubt Bama takes him.
I wondered how long it would take for the leg humper fans to make this about OM. And neither KF or any of you other know-it-alls have a fucking clue about who Kiffin (or any other coach for that matter) has talked to about jobs.
Hugh Freeze.
Finally, Tommy Tubberville gets a chance to make Biden kind of money?!
10:27,
Congrats on barly winning the Egg Bowl last year. Can’t wait till Lebby gets to put a beet down on the Rebel black bear sharks later this year.
It appears the Ole Miss supporters are already looking for a new coach. I heard there was a UHaul truck on the way Kiffen’s house.
The governor of Alabama ain't got jack shit to say about coach selection.
Wonder why none of you 'guarantors' won't attach your name to your guarantee?
PS: Hugh Freeze is experiencing a definite throbbing in his jeans, but it's just the phone on vibrate.
10:59 & 11:20, after you finish your anger management classes you should enroll in a remedial spelling/punctuation/grammar class.
He is not able to cheat as easily the way everything is setup now. NIL changed the entire game.
No dog in the SEC hunt... But, Saban wouldn't have retired without Bama already knowing who was going to replace him. I am 100% sure that the AD knew this was coming and didn't want to make a circus of it during the season. There is too much money and too many expectations riding on their program for this to be a surprise and not have a hand picked successor.
My guess is Kirby Smart. If not, Dabo or Lanning.
Is Ole Miss looking for its next coach yet??????????????
@9:11 ya'll should know how to spell lose at MS State.
@12.23 PM
Agreed that Bama already had a short list of candidates ready to go. No one that matters at UA was surprised by this.
As for your prognostication about Kirby Smart:
- played football at UGA
- makes $11M/year at UGA
- won 2 Natty's back-to-back at UGA
Kirby won't be going to Alabama. Georgia is the new Alabama.
Even Nick Saban wasn't good enough for Alabama fans. (remember last September?)
They won't be satisfied with anyone less that Yahweh himself, and probably not even then.
So many have grown tired of the “18 national championships” mantra the Alabama fans constantly bring up. I am in hopes you all have other issues in your life to work on than bringing that up on every occasion. We all roll our eyes!
January 12, 2024 at 11:56 AM,
You’re obviously another jealous old piss fan.
January 12 12:23
Hardly. It was a predictable response from an Alabama fan. Unoriginal.
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