Nick Saban has such a profound, incredible impact on his players for 17 years at the University of Alabama.
He was a father figure for many of them, mentoring them to winning on the field and in life.
RELATED: BREAKING: Nick Saban joining ESPN as analyst
AJ McCarron, a three-time BCS National Champion in the Saban era, is returning to the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL) after being released from the Cincinnati Bengals. The 33-year-old had an interview with Simone Eli of WKRG TV in Mobile, Ala. McCarron, a Mobile (Ala.) native, talked about how happy he is for Saban enjoying retirement.
He also joked about being ready to whip his former coach in golf.
“I told him I’m coming to whip his ass in some golf and get some of that NIL money I missed out on” 🤣
Great catching up w/ @10AJMcCarron today! I asked him about Nick Saban’s retirement & McCarron told me he’s ready to tee it up with his old coach after @XFLBattlehawks season! pic.twitter.com/ZmDpZ1ZnMW
— Simone Eli (@SimoneEli_TV) February 16, 2024
“I just told him how proud I was of him,” McCarron said about Saban announcing his retirement. “What an absolute run it was, and hell it’s time for him to go enjoy his grandkids, enjoy life, and play some golf. I told him I’m coming as soon as this season is over with and I get a break, I’m coming to whip his ass in some golf and get some of that NIL money I missed out on.”
McCarron said he is ‘happy as hell’ for Coach Saban to enjoy life after a legendary coaching career.
He won two BCS National Championships as a starting quarterback under Saban in 2011 and 2012.
McCarron became the winningest quarterback in the Saban era with a 36-4 record in three years as a starter. He came to the Crimson Tide as a four-star prospect in the 2009 recruiting class from St. Paul’s Episcopal High School.
McCarron still holds the Tide’s all-time career mark for passing yards (9,019).
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
