Alabama coach Nick Saban shocked the faculty soccer world Wednesday when he immediately introduced his retirement after 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide. The 72-year-old gained seven nationwide titles — one at LSU (2003) and 6 at Alabama (2009, 2011-12, 2015, 2017, 2020). That’s tied with fellow legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant for probably the most in school soccer historical past.
Saban guided Alabama to eight Faculty Soccer Playoff appearances throughout his time on the faculty — probably the most of any program within the CFP period. Present school soccer coaches and his former gamers at Alabama have been fast to weigh in on the top of one of many sport’s most adorned careers.
Earlier within the day, the Seattle Seahawks introduced that Pete Carroll wouldn’t return as their coach in 2024 — ending a 14-year run within the Pacific Northwest. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was the offensive coordinator at USC from 2007-08 underneath Carroll and the offensive coordinator at Alabama underneath Saban from 2019-2020 earlier than taking the job at Texas. He paid tribute to each his former bosses in a single tweet.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin additionally paid respect to 2 of his former bosses. Kiffin served as an assistant underneath Carroll at USC from 2001-06. He later labored with Saban at Alabama because the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2014-16. Kiffin is taken into account one of many candidates within the Tide’s search to switch Saban after spending the final 4 seasons with the Rebels.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders weighed in on Saban’s retirement, giving reward to his Aflac business co-star. He additionally insinuated that Saban’s departure could also be associated to the various modifications the faculty soccer has seen over the previous few years. The game’s panorama has undergone main shifts with each NIL and the switch portal, requiring an increasing number of time from coaches.
Saban completed his teaching profession with a 4-2 report in opposition to present Auburn coach Hugh Freeze. When Freeze was the pinnacle man at Ole Miss, he helped information the Rebels to consecutive wins over the Crimson Tide in 2014 and 2015. The primary and solely Iron Bowl assembly between the 2 coaches was an exciting come-from-behind 27-24 win for Alabama.
Saban was 5-3 in opposition to former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn with all eight video games coming within the Iron Bowl. One of the memorable performs in school soccer historical past got here in the course of the 2013 rivalry matchup. Tigers defensive again Chris Davis returned a missed area purpose kick 109 yards for a walk-off landing. The “kick-six” helped Auburn clinch the SEC West and a spot within the BCS title sport in opposition to Florida State.
Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram ll was one of many first of Saban’s former gamers to weigh in on his retirement. The previous working again was a part of one in every of Saban’s first recruiting lessons at Alabama and performed a serious function on the Crimson Tide’s 2009 nationwide title group.
Present Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey performed for Saban at Alabama from 2014-16. He took a extra lighthearted method to the information. Saban’s departure opens up a 30-day window for any Alabama participant to hit the switch portal.
It wasn’t simply Saban’s former gamers who paid their respects. Tim Tebow’s Florida Gators clashed twice with Saban’s Tide with each the SEC title and a spot within the nationwide championship sport on the road. Tebow received the higher of Saban’s group in 2008 with a 31-20 victory over Alabama. The subsequent yr, the Crimson Tide returned the favor with a 32-13 win. In each instances, the winner of the competition went on to win the nationwide title.
