Nick Saban’s retirement hit each player, coach, and fan differently for the University of Alabama football program when it happened on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Domani Jackson, a transfer cornerback from the University of Southern California, was a highly sought-after prospect from Mater Dei High School in the 2022 recruiting class. Alabama pursued him, but he chose the USC Trojans and played two seasons there as a defensive back. Jackson would find himself at the 2024 Rose Bowl practices in Pasadena (Calif.) as Alabama would battle Michigan in the matchup. The talented defender had already entered the NCAA transfer portal and announced on Dec. 28, 2023, that was committed to the Crimson Tide. Thirteen days later, Saban announces his retirement from coaching at Alabama.
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Jackson could have easily done what others around him did.
He could have jumped into the portal during its 30-day window and selected a new home; however, he did not. In a podcast with Winner Circle Athletics (WCA), Jackson explained why his teammates never had to worry about him when Saban retired.
“I was already there so I was not going anywhere,” Jackson said.
“My whole motto was I know what Alabama is, I know who they are, I know how they grind, that’s what I wanted to be a part of, and I need that in my life. I was like, ‘I am not going anywhere. Y’all do not have to worry about me.'”
Jackson said people tried to entice him to leave, but he remain 100 percent locked in.
“I made sure all my teammates in the locker room knew I was staying,” he said.
Greg Byrne, Alabama’s athletics director, was going through the most stress at the time of Saban’s retirement announcement.
He told everyone in the program to give him 72 hours to find the next head coach, yet he got the job done in 48 hours with bringing in Kalen DeBoer from Washington. DeBoer, 49, has built winning program or has turned schools around with each coaching stop. He is excited about what he can produce at Alabama, especially with the resources at his disposal.
Jackson loves the vibe DeBoer has brought to Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“He [Greg Byrne] went through a whole lot,” Jackson said. “He hired our new coach, Coach DeBoer, and Coach DeBoer is great. He is a great coach. I’m like ‘I like his vibe. I am staying regardless.'”
Crimson Tide fans are happy with Jackson’s decision and are excited to see what he does for Alabama’s defense.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
