Nick Saban reveals he was still unsure whether to retire from coaching Alabama just FIVE MINUTES before informing his Crimson Tide players
Nick Saban has revealed he was still unsure whether or not he would retire just five minutes before informing his Alabama team of his decision.
Saban announced his retirement on Wednesday after 17 years leading the Crimson Tide.
It was a decision he agonized over until he was about to meet his players.
“I was on the phone, we had a meeting at 4 p.m., it was 3:55 p.m., I was sitting in my chair, I looked at the clock and said, you have five minutes to decide what speech you’re going to give,” Saban told ESPN.
âUp until then I was actually talking to Miss Terry (his wife). It was a difficult decision because it touches and impacts the lives of so many people.â
Nick Saban said he was unsure about his retirement until five minutes before he told his players
Saban retired after 17 years as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide
He will have a new office in the team’s stadium and take on a support role
The 72-year-old said his decision to retire had to do with the grind of enduring a full college football season that became harder and harder every year.
âHonestly, last season was grueling,â Saban said. âIt was quite a task for us to get from where we started to where we got to. It cost me a little more than usual. When people bring up the health issue, it was really just a question: Can you do this the way you want to do it?
‘Can you do it the way you’ve always done it and keep it up for a whole season? And if I couldn’t commit to that in the future â as I have to do â I thought this was the right time.â
He added: “There’s never a right time, but I thought this was the right time.”
Saban also revealed that he will still have an office at Bryant-Denny Stadium â even after he steps down as coach.
When asked what he told his players, he replied: âI will be here. So I’m going to be here for you – I’m going to be there, I’m going to stay in Tuscaloosa, they’re going to give me an office in the stadium and I said, “I can continue your ass from there, just like I can on the field !”‘