Nick Saban's birthday wish, cake preference and coaching future as 70th approaches

Seventy doesn't sound as old when compared to 80. 

And that comparison was made during Wednesday's SEC teleconference when a reporter brought up to Alabama football coach Nick Saban that Lou Saban took a coaching job when he was 80 in 2001. 

The reporter reminded Nick Saban, who turns 70 on Halloween, that when Lou Saban took that job at that age, Nick Saban didn't think he himself would coach to that age. But now Saban is "kind of close" to that number. 

Alabama's coach laughed. 

"I've got 10 more years man," Saban said. 

That was in reference to the age gap, not necessarily how long Nick Saban will coach. But the question of how long Alabama's coach will remain in his position, of course, came up during the conference call. 

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"I just keep on keeping on and don't have a timetable for anything," Saban said. "The only thing that I have ever said is that if I felt like I was riding the program down or wasn't able to make a positive contribution to the program, then that would probably be time to let somebody else carry the torch." 

Days away from turning 70, Saban said he hadn't thought much about how he feels compared to how he thought he might feel at this age. 

"But I can tell you I'm thankful every day and feel blessed that I have the opportunity to continue to be healthy and able to do this job without a lot of issues or problems," Saban said. "I'm not really thinking a lot about what's going to happen 10 years from now either because I try to focus on what's happening now and try to take advantage of whatever opportunities we have and do the best job that we can to be a good husband, granddad, father, coach. Whatever. Feel blessed to have the opportunities that we have and the opportunities we have had in the past." 

He kept the focus on his family when asked about what he wants for his birthday. He said he doesn't normally ask for anything, instead wishing for good health and continued blessings for family, friends and people in the Alabama organization. 

"Nothing for me," Saban said. "If there's something out there I want, we usually just go get it, which I can't think of anything right now that I really want. Just hope for good blessings for a lot of other folks who are dear to us and our family." 

He does have a cake preference, though.

He's a carrot cake guy. 

"Miss Karler (Hughes) who sometimes works and cooks for Terry, probably makes the best carrot cake in Tuscaloosa County for sure," Saban said.