Will Nick Saban ride off into the sunset after 7th National Championship?

Don’t expect Nick Saban to retire from coaching any time soon after winning his seventh National Championship.

Nick Saban had been coaching college football since 1973, where he started off as a graduate assistant at Kent State. He received his first head coaching gig in 1990 with Toledo, before jumping over to Michigan State, LSU and finally Alabama.

On Monday, the top-seeded Crimson Tide defeated No. 3 Ohio State in the CFP National Championship Game by the score of 52-24. With this win, Saban passed the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant for most National Championships won by a head coach with seven. And he did so at the same age that Bryant retired.

At 69-years-old, many are wondering when it will be time for Saban to ride off into the sunset and retire from the sport he so loves. He mentioned prior to the SEC Championship Game that he would consider walking away if he thought his presence “was not something that was positive for the University of Alabama or with the program.”

Based off those previous comments, Saban isn’t retiring anytime soon.

Saban not done making history

The last time Saban won the National Championship was back in 2018, when Alabama defeated Georgia 26-23 in overtime. Of course, that was known as the Tua Tagovailoa game, as the then-freshman entered the game in relief of Jalen Hurts at halftime. Ever since, Saban couldn’t win the elusive championship. The Crimson Tide were blown out by the Clemson Tigers 44-16 in the CFP Title Game in 2019 and didn’t qualify for the playoffs last year.

This was the year for Saban to make history. Alabama coasted through the competition all season long, thanks to his superstars on offense in quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith. In fact, all three players were top-five finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which ultimately ended up in the hands of Smith.

Those three stars didn’t let the bright lights down at Hard Rock Stadium shake them, as they were on their game all night. Smith recorded 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns to receive the CFP MVP award. Jones tied Deshaun Watson for most completions in a National Championship with 36. Harris scored three touchdowns from scrimmage, resulting in the Tide kicking the doors in on Ohio State.

If Saban’s comments ahead of the SEC Title Game are anything to go by, then you shouldn’t expect a retirement announcement anytime soon. Why not go for championship No. 8?

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