Nick Saban is no longer the head football coach at the University of Alabama. He announced his retirement back in January after a demoralizing loss to Michigan, the eventual national champions, in the Rose Bowl.
But… not really!
While the 72-year-old is no longer involved in day-to-day operations, roster management or game planning, there is simply no quit in him. Saban refuses to actually retire and continues to be a prominent figure around the Crimson Tide program.
First and foremost, he literally showed up to work one day after his resignation.
Saban continues to hold an office at Alabama’s football facility and frequently shows up to flex on everybody by breaking his own rule with a terrible park job for his Ferrari. His presence is still there.
And then there was the spring game.
Kalen DeBoer led the Crimson Tide onto the field in front of a crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time on Saturday. It was rather jarring to see someone other than Saban out in front. But he was still there!
As DeBoer handled all of the “game day” operations, his predecessor was chopping it up with everybody and their mothers. Especially the recruits.
Saban was spotted with multiple prospective Alabama players throughout the afternoon.
No athlete who is even considering the Crimson Tide person in their right mind would turn down an opportunity to meet the greatest college football coach of all-time. Getting a chance to shake his hand and know that he is still involved with the program is certainly a helpful tool on the recruiting trail.
Nick Saban said before that he will continued to help out at Alabama however he can. His retirement was from coaching football, not from the behind-the-scenes work and constant, never-ending recruiting that comes with it!