Alabama coach Nick Saban is just two wins away from a national championship after defeating Georgia in the SEC championship and leapfrogging undefeated Florida State for a berth in the College Football Playoff. Another championship would give Saban an overall total of eight and seven with the Crimson Tide.
An improbable national victory would be difficult to top as a time for Saban to ride out into the sunset, once again at the top of the sport. Even those closest to Saban on Alabama’s staff are unaware of what the ultra-competitive 72-year-old has planned professionally.
Kevin Steele, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, has known Saban since 1985 and is in his third term as a Saban assistant. When asked about his retirement plans on Friday, Saban had little to say.
“I will tell you this: Nobody knows that answer except him,” Steele told 247Sports on Friday, merely adding “Wow” when questioned about Saban retiring after an eighth championship.
Given Saban’s age and enormous legacy, the issue is understandable. When asked about the idea, two standout defensive players—cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe—said they’d be astonished if Saban left after this season, regardless of how it ends.
Saban’s remarks on the subject were mirrored by Eboigbe.
“‘Why would I walk away and do what?’ he always says.” “He still has the same fire and passion that he had the first day I came in,” Eboigbe added. “I genuinely believe him. People said he was going to walk away while I was getting recruited, and he still hasn’t.”
Saban has a 292-70-1 record as a collegiate head coach, including a phenomenal 201-28 record (117-18 in SEC games) at Alabama.
On January 1, the No. 4 Crimson Tide (12-1) will face No. 1 Michigan (13-0) in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. The game will begin at 5 p.m. ET.
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