We no longer have Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno, so Nick Saban is the elder statesman of college football.
The 72-year-old is in his 17th season coaching at the University of Alabama. He is searching for an SEC Western Division title against Louisiana State University, a Southeastern Conference Championship, and a shot to compete in the College Football Playoff. Many have wondered, especially those in the national media, what has kept Saban attracted to college football.
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Some have tried to predict when he will retire, but he looks younger each season.
Saban has a young Alabama team this year, but the guys have positioned themselves for an opportunity at a national championship. The Crimson Tide is taking things one step at a time, starting with getting Saban a good birthday present by defeating LSU. The seven-time national champion explained on the ESPN College GameDay set what attracts him to coaching.
“Some people say, ‘I have to do it.’ … The way I look at it … you get to do it.”
Coach Saban still loves the game 👏 #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/B7MAWo6MRN
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 4, 2023
“You get to do something you love to do,” Saban said about what causes him to continue to coach in big games at Alabama.
“Some people say, ‘I have to do it.’ … How I look at it, especially at my age, you get to do it. You continue to get to do it, to compete, to be part of a team, to get a team to come together and play the way they need to play to have success in a game against a really good opponent. So it’s challenging, but I love it.”
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Saban has a major challenge Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 6:45 p.m. CT.
He and his team have to stop an LSU offense that’s averaging 47.4 points per game. Jalen Milroe, Alabama’s starting quarterback, has an opportunity to show he’s a special playmaker like LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The atmosphere is set inside Bryant-Denny Stadium to be an epic matchup. We will see who controls the SEC West and how Coach Saban will look after the game.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
