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Nick Saban says he heard 'Roll Tide' everywhere he went while in Italy

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs05/23/23

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Photo by Doug Murray | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Peanut butter and jelly. Bonnie and Clyde. Macaroni and cheese. After Nick Saban’s recent outing across the pond, add Italy and SEC Football to that list.

On Tuesday, Saban discussed his trip to Italy at an event for the Nick’s Kids Foundation, the official charity of the Saban family. While Saban likely expected some anonymity in the foreign land, he found a familiar phrase being thrown his way.

“You get ‘Roll Tide’ in Venice, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast. It’s everywhere I went,” Saban said with a smile.

Fans’ adoration isn’t the only similarity Saban encountered in Italy.

“I got a few jilts from other SEC fans. They didn’t post that part,” the 71-year-old head coach said.

Although there were no hate posts pointed toward Saban during his trip to Italy, there was no shortage of snapshots of the legendary figure.

Saban will need his rest. After missing the College Football Playoffs last season, expectations are high for Alabama football this upcoming season. The NCAA listed the program as No. 4 in its “way-too-early” 2023 top 25 list.

Now entering his 17th season at Alabama, Saban is doing everything he can to live up to those lofty expectations, even if that means not fully soaking in that warm Italian sunshine.

“We’ve done Zooms with our team this month, even while the coaches are on the road,” Saban said. “We’re always trying to figure out how can we teach better. How can guys learn better? And every individual may learn differently.”