Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is reportedly retiring following the conclusion of the 2023 college football season, according to Chris Low of ESPN.
Saban coached 17 seasons at Alabama, where he won six national championships, including three during the College Football Playoff era. He won 217 games with the program, boasting an impressive 88.7% winning percentage and a 16-7 record in bowl games. His last game with the Crimson Tide was a loss against Michigan in this year’s Rose Bowl.
Saban, 72, is the fifth winningest coach in college football history, with 297 career wins.
The news of Saban’s retirement stunned the college football world, as fans and media members alike were in disbelief over the unexpected departure of the longtime coach.
WOW! College Football just lost the GOAT to retirement. WOW! I knew it would happen 1 day soon but not this soon. The game has change so much that it chased the GOAT away. College football let's hold up our mirrors and say HONESTLY what u see. #CoachPrime @CUBuffsFootball
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) January 10, 2024
On Nick Saban, there was a bit of quiet chatter this could be coming, but when it does, it's still a stunner. The unexpected domino that falls means some big time program is losing its coach who didn't have any idea that was even possible.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 10, 2024
An all-time legendary run in T-Town.
https://t.co/XSkuK64Xfa pic.twitter.com/vcPTip9Tzf
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 10, 2024
Greatest football coach of all time https://t.co/CszvX2cDTQ
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 10, 2024
Holy s*** https://t.co/9ebyLX8QAX
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) January 10, 2024
Wow. The John Wooden of football hanging ’em up. https://t.co/7kn0EXySSc
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 10, 2024
WOW! End of an era if true. The greatest to ever do it. 🐐 https://t.co/TMsSnJRcEr
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 10, 2024
Nick Saban told me he’s retiring pic.twitter.com/rBeaf67xJW
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) January 10, 2024
CAN TODAY CHILL?? Damn! https://t.co/cBVJO49Cnv
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) January 10, 2024
WHAT!?! https://t.co/qwNDZNUvAo
— Nick Martin (@themicknartin) January 10, 2024
Huge news from Chris here. The greatest coach in the history of the sport. https://t.co/Oy4Pd0Wyx7
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 10, 2024