One of college football’s biggest names is stepping away from the game.
Alabama coach Nick Saban is retiring and has informed his team of the decision to do so, he announced Wednesday.
The stunning news comes after Alabama’s season came to an end in the College Football Playoff semifinal with a loss to Michigan in overtime on New Year’s Day.
This season had marked the 72-year-old’s 17th year in Tuscaloosa and his 28th coaching in college football.
“The University of Alabama has been a very special place to Terry and me,” Saban said in a statement. “We have enjoyed every minute of our 17 years being the head coach at Alabama as well as becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. It is not just about how many games we won and lost, but it’s about the legacy and how we went about it. We always tried to do it the right way.
“The goal was always to help players create more value for their future, be the best player they could be and be more successful in life because they were part of the program. Hopefully, we have done that, and we will always consider Alabama our home.”
Saban ends his illustrious career with a 292-71-1 record — five wins were vacated by the NCAA in 2009 over a rules violation — which included 11 SEC titles and seven national championships (six at Alabama and one at LSU) to his name.
No college football coach has won more national titles than Saban, and he finishes his career sixth on the FBS wins list.
Saban’s run at Alabama is arguably one of the greatest in the history of college football, leading the program to at least 10 wins in every season since 2008.
Saban’s six national titles with the school with Bear Bryant for the most in program history.
He’s coached Alabama to two undefeated seasons in 2009 and 2020 and he helped produce 44 first-round draft picks over his time with the program.
Saban also coached four different Heisman Trophy recipients while at Alabama.
while celebrating with his team after defeating the Georgia
Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship
presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018. Getty Images
Mark Ingram II, Derrick Henry, DeVonta Smith and Bryce Young all went on to capture college football’s greatest honor under Saban’s tutelage.
Prior to helping to restore Alabama to the top of college football’s ranks, Saban spent two years coaching the Miami Dolphins from 2005-06.
Saban previously was a head coach at LSU (2000-04), Michigan State (1995-99) and Toledo (1990).
Saban was honored with plenty of honors during his career, including winning the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award twice.
He was also the recipient of AP, Walter Camp and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year awards.
