Alabama head coach Nick Saban just won his fifth national championship at the college level Monday night, and nobody would fault him if he decided to call it quits at the age of 64.
However, the legendary leader isn’t ready to make that call any time soon — if ever.
“I’ve been part of a team since I was 9 years old,” Saban said Tuesday morning, via Michael Casagrande of AL.com. “It scares me to think of the day when I’m not a part of a team. The feeling that you get being associated with a group like this makes you want to do it more. That’s kinda how I feel about it.”
This is a pretty rare insight to Saban’s personal feelings, and it speaks volumes about what drives him.
Already one of the most successful coaches in the history of football, Saban’s legacy is already assured. However, the fear of being alone without the support of a team could drive him even more than winning championships, based on his own words.
It sure sounds like Saban would like nothing better than to pass on to the next life while doing what he loves best.
That said, he knows it can’t last forever.
“I know you can’t do this forever, but I certainly enjoy the moment and certainly look forward to the future and the challenges that we have. I really have no timetable for ever not being a part of the team.”
Pursued yearly by the NFL, Saban wants to retire as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. His current contract runs through until 2021, when he’ll be approaching 70.
Given how passionate the coach still is about being a part of a team and helping it grow, nobody should be surprised if he sticks around a bit longer even than that. Of course, if the Tide reel in a few more championships, you know nobody will say no.