Legendary head coach Nick Saban is expected to leave college football and retire, according to a shocking report released on Wednesday afternoon by ESPN’s Chris Low.
Most people agree that he is the best head coach in college football history.
Initially, Saban served as an assistant coach at several Division 1-A universities, such as Syracuse, West Virginia, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Navy.
In 1990, he began his career as head coach at the University of Toledo, where he quickly turned around the program.
After consecutive 6-5 seasons in 1988 and 1989, Toledo shot to a 9-2 record in 1990 under head coach Nick Saban. That year, they shared the title of Mid-American Conference champions.
Saban’s tenure at Toledo was brief, though, as he turned down a job offer from Bill Belichick to work as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns the following season.
Before returning to college football, he spent four years with the Browns, helping them establish themselves as the NFL’s best defensive unit.
After joining the University of Alabama in 2007, Nick Saban has guided the Crimson Tide to 11 SEC titles and six national titles.
Four skill players—Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, DeVonta Smith, and Bryce Young—have won the Heisman Trophy while Saban has led the Crimson Tide to 201 victories.
According to 247Sports, if this is really the end for Nick Saban, he will leave the college football coaching ranks with a 292-71-1 record and 16 straight seasons of a top-five recruiting class.
Jalen Hurts, Landon Dickerson, Julio Jones, DeVonta Smith, Josh Jobe, Eli Ricks, and Tyler Steen are current Eagles who were under Saban’s coaching.
There were no signs that Saban was prepared to call it quits on his coaching career this quickly, so his retirement is surprising. His exit creates an opening for the most sought-after college football coaching position, from which Alabama can select almost any deserving applicant.
How much of a surprise was that?
Less than a week ago, Saban appeared as though he would not be retiring anytime soon during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
When asked why people ask him about retirement, Saban replied, “I guess because I’m getting old.” “I inquire of everyone who approaches me, ‘Are you planning to stay here for four years?'” Players ask me, “When are you going to retire?” “Can you assure me that you will be here for four years?” I ask them as I look at them. “Hell no, I’m not making that promise,” was how they looked at me. It seems like the current state of affairs to me.”
