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 [January 11, 2024]
Alabama head coach and seven-time national champion Nick
Saban is retiring, the coach announced 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, 72, won six of his seven national titles in his 17 years at
Alabama, tying the school mark set by Bear Bryant. He finishes with
a career mark of 297-71-1, 206 of those wins coming at Alabama (with
29 losses).
He led the Crimson Tide to 11 Southeastern Conference championships.
Saban's Alabama teams missed the College Football Playoff just twice
in 10 years of its existence while winning three national
championships.
"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," Alabama
athletic director Greg Byrne said. " 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."
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Alabama just wrapped up a 12-2 SEC championship
season with a 27-20 overtime loss to eventual national champion
Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
"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," Alabama president
Stuart R. Bell said. "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 began his head coaching career at Toledo in 1990. He coached
Michigan State from 1995-1999 before accepting the head-coaching job
at LSU in 2000. He won his first national title in 2003 at LSU.
He took the Alabama job after a short and failed stint as head coach
of the Miami Dolphins.
--Field Level Media
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