Nick Saban shares his reaction to people thinking he was past his prime

Alabama coach Nick Saban had something to prove entering the 2023 season after missing the College Football Playoff the year prior. Saban had already cemented himself as one of the all-time greats, but many questioned how much the 72-year-old had left in the tank entering his 28th season as a college coach.

The Crimson Tide haven’t won a national title since the 2020 season after they lost to Georgia in the 2021 championship. However, Saban responded this season with what many believe could be the best coaching job of his career. Alabama finished the season 12-1 to win the SEC and make it in the Playoff as the No. 4 seed.

There they will face top-seeded Michigan in the Rose Bowl for a chance to reach the national championship once again. Saban spoke with media ahead of that matchup, offering his thoughts on the opinion entering the season from some that he was past his prime.

“Yeah, I’ve heard them before,” Saban said. “I think when you get my age, everybody is waiting for you to — you know, it kind of is what it is.”

Nick Saban has more national championships than any coach in college football history with seven, six of which have come at Alabama. If he is able to claim his eighth this season, there is an argument to be made that it stands above the rest given the Crimson Tide’s journey.

Alabama began the year at No. 4 in the AP poll before losing to Texas in Week 2. Many wrote them off as Playoff contenders after that game, especially after a shaky performance on the road against South Florida the following week.

Still, the Crimson Tide continued to win and picked up steam as the year went on. There were a few close calls, including a win against Auburn in the season finale in which Jalen Milroe threw the game-winning touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 31-yard line.

Despite rolling through conference play without a loss, the Crimson Tide entered the SEC Championship against Georgia ranked No. 8 in the College Football Playoff. It seemed clear that many still expected the Bulldogs, who were on a 29-game winning streak, to take care of business and knock Alabama out of CFP contention.

Alabama and Saban got their revenge for the 2021 loss, however, to hold off Georgia in a 27-24 victory. That allowed the Crimson Tide to make the biggest jump the history of the Playoff, moving four spots to make it in as the last team.

It’s safe to say that Saban is still one of the best coaches not only in the history of the game, but also present day. His team’s performance this season has left no doubt about that, and a title would only make the story even better.