Nick Saban retiring as Alabama football coach

After 17 seasons because the Crimson Tide’s soccer coach, Nick Saban is retiring, in response to CBS Sports activities.

In his seven years as a coach, Saban has received seven nationwide titles; the newest being in 2020.

ESPN was the primary to report about Saban’s retirement. Later, sources advised Matt Zenitz of 247sports that Saban advised Alabama of his selection on Wednesday. On Wednesday night time, Saban and Alabama each introduced his retirement.

“For Terry and me, the College of Alabama has been a really particular place,” Saban acknowledged in an announcement issued by the college. “We have now cherished each second of our 17 years as Alabama’s head coaches and our integration into the Tuscaloosa group. It issues greater than merely what number of video games we win and lose; it issues extra about our legacy and technique of operation.

We at all times made an effort to do issues accurately. Being the most effective participant attainable, serving to gamers produce extra worth for his or her future, and serving to them achieve life on account of being part of this system was at all times the purpose. We hope to have achieved that, and Alabama will at all times be our dwelling.”

“To place it merely, Nick Saban is likely one of the biggest coaches of all time, in any sport, and The College of Alabama is lucky to have had him main our soccer program for the previous 17 seasons,” mentioned Greg Byrne, the athletic director of Alabama, in an announcement.

“Whereas his time as our coach might have come to an finish, his legacy will stay on eternally,” acknowledged Byrne. What a privilege it has been for us to look at one of many biggest to ever do it up shut. Coach Saban’s profession has been completely wonderful.”

The eventual nationwide champion Michigan Wolverines defeated the Crimson Tide 27–20 in additional time within the semifinal sport, making certain the Crimson Tide’s elimination from the 2023 Faculty Soccer Playoff.

Probably the most nationwide titles ever received by a school soccer coach are held by Saban’s seven. With six championships, he’s additionally tied with the late nice Alabama coach Bear Bryant for essentially the most in Crimson Tide historical past.

On December 2, 2023, in Atlanta, in the course of the third quarter of the SEC Championship sport between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, head coach Nick Saban of the previous staff is proven.

Alabama President Stuart R. Bell mentioned in an announcement, “Phrases can not adequately specific our appreciation to Coach Saban for his exemplary management and repair to The College of Alabama over the previous 17 years.”

His dedication to high quality has established the bar for our program within the classroom and on the sphere. We’re appreciative of his enduring affect on our student-athletes’ lives in addition to the wonderful experiences his groups have produced for our college students, alumni, mates, and followers.”

Following stints as a school coach and within the NFL, Saban’s first championship was earned in 2003 whereas serving as head coach at Louisiana State College, the place he was employed from 2000 to 2004. Saban left LSU to change into the top coach of the Miami Dolphins within the NFL after the 2004 season, which completed with a 9-3 report and a 30-25 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes within the Capital One Bowl.

In his transient tenure as head coach of the Dolphins, Saban went 9-7 in 2005 however might solely muster six victories in 2006, lacking the postseason in each situations. After the 2006 season, Saban departed from the Dolphins to take a place as head soccer coach at Alabama, a staff that hadn’t received a nationwide championship since 1992.

Saban developed the Crimson Tide right into a soccer powerhouse throughout his 17 years as head coach, capturing the nationwide championship in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020. At Alabama, he additionally received 9 SEC championships and 4 Heisman Trophy winners below his tutelage.

“This is likely one of the most wonderful seasons in Alabama soccer historical past by way of the place this staff got here from, what they have been in a position to accomplish and what they did, successful the SEC Championship, and actually, actually happy with this group,” the 72-year-old coach mentioned after the Crimson Tide’s semifinal loss this previous season, in response to The Related Press. “I simply want that I might have executed extra as a coach to assist them achieve success and assist them end, and all we are able to do now could be be taught from the teachings that generally failings carry to us.”