Nick Saban reveals what it means to him to see former Alabama players return

Who said you can’t go home? Surely, not Nick Saban. During Thursday’s episode of “Hey Coach & The Nick Saban Show,” the Alabama head coach discussed the importance of former players returning to visit the program.

“It really means everything to me that players want to come back,” Saban said. “They have great pride and what they were able to accomplish here. And they have great pride in the tradition. They had a great experience here. They have great relationships with people who helped them, whether it was in academics or whatever part of their development, and they appreciate the fact that something was done here to help them be successful.”

In Saban’s time at Alabama, the program has become a talent factory. In 15 seasons at the helm, Saban has sent 123 former Crimson Tide players to the NFL, 44 as first-round selections. Per USA Today, former Alabama players under Nick Saban have gone on to earn $1.94 billion.

Nick Saban’s lofty promise

Success isn’t only a staple of Saban’s program, it’s a promise.

“A lot of those guys have had a lot of success and it’s a goal of our program to help every player in the program have a better chance to be more successful in life,” Saban said. “When the players know that you care about them as people, that’s really, really important to them.

“We have great relationships with a lot of those guys and I think they know that when they come to Alabama, it is a privilege to play here, but it’s also a benefit to have played here because we have such great tradition.”

A lifelong connection

Tradition is an understatement. Saban boasts six national championships while at Alabama. Moreover, since 2008, Saban’s teams have spent part or all of each season ranked No. 1 in national polls, excluding the 2023 campaign.

Love him or hate him, Saban is an icon in Tuscaloosa and abroad. He believes his players always have a place in the Alabama community, as well.

“You’re an Alabama Crimson Tide player forever, and you’re looked up to forever and people are willing to help you forever,” Saban said. “That’s the way I want it to be and I’m just thankful that we were in a place where we have that.”

Hopefully for Alabama, it won’t give former players too much excitement this weekend. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will take on South Florida at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ABC.