Nick Saban apparently kept his daughter in the dark when it came to the timeline of his retirement announcement. She had no idea that the news was going to hit on Wednesday afternoon.
Kristen Saban Setas, who turned 33 years old last month, reacted to her father’s decision to step away with a string of posts on her Instagram story. Her gratitude was at the forefront.
The daughter of the greatest college football coach of all-time issued a brief message with a promise of more to come.
I’ll say something eventually. So many emotions at the moment. Football is my life. Watching my dad accomplish so many things one after the other for so many years has been incredible and I am so thankful to witness the history I’ve seen him make. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your messages, your Alabama football stories and your love. Alabama forever. Roll Tide forever. I love you all.
— Kristen Saban Setas
Kristen post her statement after landing in either Los Angeles or Orlando. Likely the latter, because she was just in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. She and her family were on the way to Disney.
Matt Mitchell, a local comedian, podcast host and well-known personality in the Yellowhammer State, was on a flight shortly after the news broke. He was fairly confident that Kristen was on the same flight and ultimately worked up the courage to chop it up after reaching their final destination.
Mitchell reported that Kristen knew her dad was going to retire but did not know when. The announcement on Wednesday caught her completely off-guard while preparing for her family’s trip to the place where all of our dreams can come true.
It is very funny if this is true and Nick Saban kept his own daughter in the dark about his retirement. The 72-year-old legend couldn’t be bothered to give her a call and let her know “hey, I’m doing this.”
He marches to the beat of his own drummer and we love him for it.
Either that, or the news wasn’t supposed to drop on Wednesday. Probably not, considering the swift response from Alabama.
It seems like Nick Saban went rogue and didn’t even tell his daughter!