Nick Saban discusses new roles with Alabama, College GameDay

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Before the 2024 Nick Saban Legacy Award presentation Monday night, the former Alabama coach made his first public comments since his retirement last month.

How is the 72-year-old enjoying it?

“It’s good,” Saban told local reporters at Red Mountain Theatre. “Terry and I have enjoyed our time together. You’ve got a little more time for family. You get to see grandkids a little more. It’s been really, really good. Play a little more golf, so that’s not good, but it’s fun. So it’s been good. 

“I’m anxious to see that we can do whatever we can to continue to support Alabama athletics and the athletic program and the football program and hope that the players and the coaches that are there continue to have a great amount of success.”

Saban spent the last 17 seasons as Alabama’s head coach and led the Crimson Tide football team to six national championships. Nine days after Alabama’s 2023 campaign ended with a loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl semifinal, Saban informed the team he was stepping away from coaching, and the Tide hired Washington’s Kalen DeBoer two days later.

Saban revealed he will have a new office at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and athletic director Greg Byrne said the former coach will be an adviser for Alabama. Before honoring Frank Beamer and the family of the late Bobby Bowden, he shared how he envisions his new role.

“That’s our home. That’s our family. It’s our community,” Saban said. “We’re going to continue to do things to help the community every way that we can. The coaches all know that I’m available if they need me in any way, shape or form to help them. 

“I talk to Kalen every now and then, and I talk to the defensive coordinator (Kane Wommack) every now and then. He’s going to come over and meet me this week sometime. We’re around. We’re there to support the players and help them in any way that we can to help them be successful.”

While Saban will still be involved, he emphasized he doesn’t want DeBoer or anyone to think “I’m looking over their shoulder.” But Saban won’t be spending all his time in Tuscaloosa. He will also be an analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay, it was announced this month.

“I’m excited about it,” Saban said. “I’d like to continue to impact college football in a positive way in the future, and I think that gives me a voice to do it. It keeps me involved in football. I have things to do. It’s not only just being there, it’s the preparation that goes with it and how it can keep you involved in the game.”

But will the former Crimson Tide coach pick against Alabama on any Saturday this fall?

“I’ve tried to steer away from picking people,” Saban said. “I think I’m going to have to do that now. But I don’t know that you always have to pick the team you think is going to win. You’re allowed to have a spiritual feeling about who you like and who you want to win. 

“I think it will be a lot of fun, though.”

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