Nick Saban reveals why he lives a sober life, avoids drinking, smoking

Championships typically call for some celebration, during which there’s usually some form of substance consumption — whether that’s lighting up a cigar or popping champaign bottles. But for Nick Saban, the sober life goes hand-in-hand with a happy life, including when winning titles.

After the Crimson Tide’s come-from-behind win over rival Tennessee last weekend, Saban was seen holding a cigar in the postgame presser. However, he admitted he’s only ever smoked one cigar in all his time as the Alabama head coach. Instead, he said he usually just chews on one for a little bit after the game.

This topic was brought up again on Thursday when Nick Saban made his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. ESPN flashed the clip of Saban’s postgame interview with the cigar in hand, which prompted McAfee to ask if the Alabama head coach gets his buzz on in any form.

“So you don’t smoke. Do you drink at all? Do you have beer, wine, anything?” asked Pat McAfee.

Saban, already shaking his head, answered: “Nope. No drink.”

“I used to drink. But you know, when we had kids and my kids were growing up, I decided I didn’t want to set that kind of example for them, so I just quit drinking… and probably the best thing I ever did,” Saban explained. “Never have a hangover, never feel bad, you know. I just don’t do it.”

McAfee was on the same page as Saban, admitting he used to be a much bigger drinker himself but now only drinks about “1/1,000th” the amount he used to, since even one night of moderate drinking can give him a four-day hangover.

Saban is aware of the feeling and says that he’s enjoying coaching and his life even more without the aid of alcohol or smoking.

“Yeah, believe me. And you know, you have more fun and you enjoy it more, you enjoy the relationships more,” he continued. “So it’s been a good thing for me, one of the best things I’ve decided to do.”

While he won’t drink or smoke this weekend, Nick Saban will be celebrating his 72nd birthday. He actually turns 72 on Halloween but said he’s heading to the lake to kick back and enjoy his special day with some friends.

“But we will go to — it’s my birthday coming up on Halloween, so we always go to the lake,” Saban said. “We have a birthday dinner with a bunch of our friends on Saturday and turn around and come back.”