Nick Saban jokes about how long he will coach, year-to-year perspective

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to retirement rumors. Over the years the soon-to-be 70-year old coach has faced questions about his short-term and long-term plans, always staying focused on the moment.

Once upon a time, Saban told reporters 80-years old was beyond his coaching limits. Unlike his “distant relative” Lou Saban, he had no plans to coach as an octogenarian. With his birthday on Oct. 31, Nick Saban got in front of the offseason retirement rumors by joking with reporters during the SEC’s Wednesday teleconference.

“I’ve got 10 more years, man,” Saban said with a laugh. “I never really thought about it to be honest with you, but I can tell you I’m thankful every day and feel blessed that I have the opportunity to continue to be healthy and able to do this job without a lot of issues or problems. No, I’m not really thinking a lot about what’s going to happen 10 years from now either because I try to focus on what’s happening now and try to take advantage of whatever opportunities that we have and do the best job that we can to be a good husband, granddad, father, coach, whatever. And feel blessed to have the opportunity that we have and the opportunities we’ve had in the past.”

Now entering his 70’s, Nick Saban is far ahead of Lou Saban at the same age. By the time the elder reached 70-years old, he had left college coaching for the high school game, then returned to NAIA Peru State in Nebraska. By the time Lou turned 80, he was coaching a 2-13 Division II school in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

Nick remains at the top of his game, leading the No. 3 team in the country into a bye week while celebrating 70.

Year-to-Year perspective

Nick Saban also addressed the year-to-year debates regarding his retirement status. Understandably, many coaches his age begin re-evaluating their position each offseason, weighing the pros and cons of another year.

However, Saban denied any year-to-year mentality, locking in on long-term success.

“No, I just kind of keep on keeping on and don’t have a timetable for anything,” said Saban. “The only thing that I’ve ever said is that if I felt like I was riding the program down or wasn’t able to make a positive contribution to the program, then that would probably be time to let somebody else carry the torch.”

The idea of Nick Saban losing his touch seems absurd given his track record of success. With no visible end in sight, Alabama’s head coaching position seems locked up for the long haul.