AJ McCarron shares text exchange with Nick Saban after retirement
AJ McCarron sent Nick Saban a text shortly after finding out his former coach had retired.
Part of the text was serious, informing Saban of what his former quarterback thought of him.
“I just told him how proud I was of him, what an absolute run it was and, hell, it’s time for him to go enjoy his grandkids, enjoy life, play some golf,” McCarron told reporters on Zoom.
But the other part was a joking jab at his college coach about a future matchup on the links.
“And I told him as soon as this season is over with and I get a little break, I’m coming to whip his ass in some golf and get some of that NIL money that I missed out on,” McCarron said. “He laughed and texted back and said he needed some strokes if we were going to play.”
Saban announced his retirement on Jan. 10, stepping away from coaching after 17 seasons at Alabama. He coached McCarron for five years, with the latter taking over the starting job behind center for the 2011 season and winning back-to-back BCS national championships.
McCarron went on to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 and played seven seasons in the NFL before joining the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL. On Friday, McCarron spoke with reporters after rejoining the now-UFL franchise and discussed Saban’s retirement.
According to McCarron, he had a hunch that the 2023 season would be Saban’s last.
“Some people I do business with that do business with him, as well, had told me before the season started that it could possibly be his last year,” McCarron said. “And he also has a love and interest in cars, like myself. So I went to the Texas game, sitting back there in the locker room and, hell, I was just going to go say hey to him.
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“We sat down for probably 15 minutes while recruits are all out there, outside of the door waiting. But we sat there and just talked about life and cars and the Mercedes dealerships he’s opening up down in Florida and, hell, the Ferrari dealership. He went and met the Enzo family and talked about all of that.
“So it’s awesome.”
Saban spent 28 years as a college head coach at Toledo (1990), Michigan State (1995-99), LSU (2000-04) and Alabama (2007-23). He won seven national titles in those 28 years, his first at LSU in 2003 before capturing six championships at Alabama (2009, 2011-12, 2015, 2017 and 2020). He also coached the Miami Dolphins for two seasons (2005-06).
Now, he is set to enjoy retirement while also serving as an analyst on College GameDay, it was announced last week. Saban’s former star quarterback is thrilled for his old coach.
“I’m happy as hell for Coach,” McCarron said. “He deserves it, and it’s awesome to see him enjoy life and be a granddad.”
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