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It’s a somber day in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Legendary head coach Nick Saban is retiring after 17 seasons walking the sidelines.
In that time, he led a proud program to extreme heights, becoming the poster child for college football success.
Saban’s Crimson Tide posted 16 10-win seasons, nine SEC titles, and six national championships. In the process, he became the program’s winningest coach with a percentage of 87.7% while ranking No. 2 in victories with 206.
He owns the most CFP appearances in NCAA history, most recently falling to Michigan in the opening round of this year’s event.
Not many knew that a botched snap would be the last play we saw Saban on the sidelines, but on Wednesday, he informed the team of his plans to step away.
Saban just informed his team that he’s retiring.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) January 10, 2024
That leaves a lot of unanswered questions in T-Town.
Who will take over? Oregon coach Dan Lanning is rumored to be the favorite, though big names like Dabo Swinney, Mike Norvell, and even Deion Sanders have been linked to the opening.
Whoever steps in will have massive shoes to fill.
For those outside of Tuscaloosa, there’s been a sense of relief. Nick Saban seemingly owned the sport for the better part of two decades.
In Auburn, fans celebrated by rolling Toomer’s Corner.
At the University of Alabama, though, the feeling is much, much different.
Crimson Tide fans act like Nick Saban is dead after retirement news.
Outside Bryant-Denny Stadium, #Alabama fans have placed oatmeal cream pies and coke at the bottom of Nick Saban’s statue.
Somber aura around the University’s campus. pic.twitter.com/k60pBCj6jK
— Mathey Gibson (@Mathey_Gibson1) January 10, 2024
Fans honored the legendary head coach by placing oatmeal cream pies (which he eats two of each morning), cokes, and flowers at the foot of his statue outside the football stadium. Images of the response to Nick Saban’s retirement news sparked an immediate online reply.
“He’s retiring, he’s not dead!”
“Rest in peace, Nick.”
“I’m screaming, they’re acting like my man is flying with the angels now.”
“This fanbase, I’m crying.”
“Did he die, or did he retire?”
“He seemed so alive the last time I saw him. RIP, Coach.”
Saban is still alive and well, though many are hoping this signals the slow death of the Alabama football program. Can the Crimson Tide find a suitable replacement?