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Football world reacts to Nick Saban's stunning decision to retire

Nick Saban. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Football world reacts to Alabama HC Nick Saban's stunning decision to retire

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 1/10/24

Legendary head coach Nick Saban shocked the college football world, announcing his retirement on Jan. 10. Unsurprisingly, social media was buzzing with reactions to the unexpected news.

Over 28 seasons at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU and Alabama, Saban amassed 297 wins to only 71 losses (one tie). After such an unbelievable ride, his decision to finally step away from the sidelines at 72 years old offered many a chance to show appreciation.

On Nick Saban, there was a bit of quiet chatter this could be coming, but when it does, it's still a stunner. The unexpected domino that falls means some big time program is losing its coach who didn't have any idea that was even possible.

An all-time legendary run in T-Town.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 10, 2024

Covering Nick Saban was the most challenging thing I've ever done. We battled. He made me a better reporter. I made him mad. It ended with mutual respect and some laughs. It was three years I'll never forget.

Fortunate to experience the greatest college coach ever. https://t.co/noyCNTp2bT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2024

Saban is the best to ever do it. Understood you are nothing without recruiting, got the best players on planet earth, made them earn their place, taught them better technique than anyone in football then waved goodbye to them after 3 years to go make 50M and then pressed repeat.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 10, 2024

One of the greatest runs in college football history is over. Nick Saban informed his team today that he's retiring, sources tell ESPN. He won six national championships at Alabama and one at LSU.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) January 10, 2024

Wow!!
Surprised but not shocked by Coach Saban stepping down. Best to ever do it. From 2008-2023 he compiled a record of 199-16!!!! That’s an average of 12 wins in the last 16 seasons. As consistent and good as the sport has ever seen!
Thank you coach for all you put into the…
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 10, 2024

At Alabama alone, Saban was a five-time Coach of the Year, recording 206 wins, 11 SEC championships and six national titles, all while producing 124 NFL Draft selections. While showered with love from fans and those who covered him, many former players also weighed in.

built by bama

happy retirement pic.twitter.com/nne7nhTvEt
— Kenyan Drake™ (@KDx32) January 10, 2024

Coach Saban is the GOAT!! Thanks for believing in a young man from Flint, Michigan. Helped me become a champion on the field, but more importantly a champion in LIFE. Enjoy retirement Coach, you earned that!! Love you Coach Saban, ROLL TIDE!! pic.twitter.com/VJ5KzUcHu3
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) January 10, 2024

The best to ever do it. Thank you Coach Saban pic.twitter.com/LOYgF6UMnu
— Chris Owens (@BGChrisOwens) January 10, 2024

Saban's retirement is earth-shattering news for college football. It's also a seismic shift in college football, especially at Alabama.

Once word of his retirement broke, the overwhelming response featured endless thank yous, celebrating an unfathomable number of accomplishments. However, others highlighted what the news meant for the Crimson Tide program in the aftermath while pitying the poor soul tapped as Saban's successor.

Something interesting to watch re: Alabama and Saban retiring.

Recruits who signed a national letter of intent can be released from the NLI if they haven't triggered attendance yet.

Other players on the roster will have a 30-day transfer window now that Saban is retiring.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) January 10, 2024

I would have been in that portal so fast after I heard Saban retiring lol
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) January 10, 2024

Bama is a great job.

But some of the stuff that made it an unbelievable job is stuff Saban did. In particular, getting boosters to open wallets, shut mouths, and stand aside.

Does a new coach get that automatically? Saban could demand it because he had a natty and leverage.
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) January 10, 2024

anyway, nothing seems more assured than saban's successor being devoured by the single most demanding job in american sports. kids, you have no idea what bama can be. you're going to find out.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) January 10, 2024

With no likely internal replacements at Alabama, here’s a quick projected target list. Dan Lanning, Kalen DeBoer, Dabo Swinney, James Franklin, Mike Norvell and Marcus Freeman. All come with complications and big buyouts, as it’s difficult to move entrenched coaches. https://t.co/0K2NWk8CtL
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 10, 2024

Time waits for no man, and in Saban's case, he felt it was the right time to step away. Whether or not the changing landscape of college football prompted the move or not, what's not up for debate is his importance to not only the college game but football as a whole.

His greatness is undeniable, and after nearly three decades of proving it, Saban walks away as arguably the most successful football coach in collegiate history.

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