Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching, per release by the University.
Saban, 72, led the Crimson Tide for 17 seasons, compiling a 206-29 (.877) record in Tuscaloosa, winning nine SEC championships and six national championships.
“The University of Alabama has been a very special place to Terry and me,” Saban said. “We have enjoyed every minute of our 17 years being the head coach at Alabama as well as becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. It is not just about how many games we won and lost, but it’s about the legacy and how we went about it. We always tried to do it the right way. The goal was always to help players create more value for their future, be the best player they could be and be more successful in life because they were part of the program. Hopefully, we have done that, and we will always consider Alabama our home.”
Saban spent 28 years as a collegiate head coach, spending time at Toledo (1990), Michigan State (1995-99), LSU (2000-04) and Alabama (2007-23), as well as a two-year stint as the head coach of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins (2005-06).
“Simply put, Nick Saban is one of the greatest coaches of all time, in any sport, and The University of Alabama is fortunate to have had him leading our football program for the past 17 seasons,” said Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. “Throughout his career as a head coach, his teams have won seven national championships, 11 conference championships and 312 games, and he’s developed an NCAA-record 49 NFL first-round draft picks and, most importantly, hundreds of college graduates. He is the consummate coach, mentor and leader, and his impact is felt far beyond the football field.”
He compiled a career 297-71-1 (.806) record as a collegiate head coach, winning 11 SEC championships and seven national championships. Saban coached four Heisman Trophy winners (Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, DeVonta Smith and Bryce Young), joining Notre Dame’s Frank Leahy for the most in college football history.
“Words cannot adequately express our appreciation to Coach Saban for his exemplary leadership and service to The University of Alabama over the past 17 years,” said Alabama President Stuart R. Bell. “His commitment to excellence has set the standard for our program, both on the field and in the classroom. We are grateful for the lasting impact he has made on the lives of our student-athletes and the incredible memories his teams have created for our students, alumni, fans and supporters.”
Saban is immediately eligible for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
