College football won’t feel the same next year now that Nick Saban has retired from being the Alabama football coach. Some, like Saban, probably feel college football hasn’t been the same for several years now, thanks to a host of recent changes to the structure. He’s not alone.
But unlike the hundreds of other coaches who are still hoping to stake their claim to fame, Saban has already done everything he can. With seven national championship victories under his belt, Saban is one of the most accomplished coaches in college football history. There’s nothing left to prove here.
Still, when the 72-year-old announced his retirement, it came as a shock. Alabama football without Coach Saban? We haven’t seen that since 2006. But again, a lot has changed in recent years. Now we’re getting a better idea on why Saban suddenly decided to walk away this past offseason.
Nick Saban sounds off on recruiting, transfers, NIL money
Nick Saban won’t be coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2024, but he will still be involved in college football, providing coverage for ESPN. Now the legend is opening up to ESPN about why he suddenly decided to stop coaching, and a lot of it seems tied to the ever-changing college football landscape.
Despite Alabama’s recent struggles (for the Crimson Tide, not reaching the CFP = struggling), Saban says he thought he could have bounced back in 2024 with a ‘hell’ of a team, but that’s not what spelled the end of his career.
“I thought we could have a hell of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80% of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?”
Nick Saban on his retirement
Saban later questioned whether a college athlete’s new goal is based on how much money they can make, but he says that’s not what propelled his Alabama teams to successful seasons. He also understands that players need to do what they feel is best for them.
“So I’m saying to myself, ‘Maybe this doesn’t work anymore, that the goals and aspirations are just different and that it’s all about how much money can I make as a college player?’ I’m not saying that’s bad. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that’s never been what we were all about, and it’s not why we had success through the years.”
Nick Saban, continued
Saban is echoing what a lot of others involved with college football have been stating, at least among coaches. As for the players, they’re simply finally getting what’s owed to them, but perhaps there’s a better way to go about it too.
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft: Falcons find QB, Round 1 projections after NFL Combine