Alabama fans, the college football world, and the realm of sports will never be the same following Wednesday’s news.
RELATED: REPORT: Alabama head coach Nick Saban to retire
The University of Alabama lost its head coach of 17 years to retirement. Nick Saban was hired to the Crimson Tide on Jan. 3, 2007, to restore the glory to Tide football after years of it slipping. Saban did more than restore the glory, he elevated Alabama as the needle of college football and gold standard of athletics. He gave Alabama fans a program it could be very proud of, winning six national championships, nine Southeastern Conference Championships, positioning 100+ players to the NFL Draft (40+ first-round picks), signing numerous top-ranked recruiting class, helping other coaches achieve success upon leaving Alabama, giving back to the Tuscaloosa (Ala.) community in more ways than one, and turning young boys into men. Saban and his wife, Miss Terry, meant everything to Alabama football fans. Kristen Saban Setas, Saban’s daughter, watched her dad accomplish all he wanted to. She was there for every joyful victory, head scratching defeat, and all things in between. Setas shared an emotional message to Instagram as her sad steps away from coaching. She is thankful for all the kind messages shared with her family.
No one will ever replace Saban, but the next man in line will have a wealth of knowledge to draw from as Saban is always willing to pass along what he knows.
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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.
