Alabama DC: Saban reveals no signs of retirement

• Chris Low, ESPN Elder WriterDec 29, 2023, 04:26 PM ET

  Close

  • College football reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

LOS ANGELES– Alabama protective planner Kevin Steele knew the question was coming, and he was ready.So were the Crimson Tide’s defensive players at Friday’s media accessibility for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Championship game presented by Prudential.Steele, in his third stint working for Nick Saban, was asked

whether his 72-year-old employer may be inclined to walk it off into retirement if he wins his next 2 games, starting with Michigan on Monday, and records his seventh national championship at Alabama. “Wow, “a smiling Steele stated with emphasis.Steele, with 39 years of training experience, wasn’t about to wade blindly into that a person, however he was rapidly reminded by a press reporter that narrative was out there.”I’ve heard it. So, yeah, it’s always going to be out there, and I will inform you this: Nobody knows that answer other than for him, “Steele said.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The answer Steele does understand is that Saban, in his 17th season at Alabama, never ever deviated from his distinguished”procedure”earlier this season– after the home loss to Texas in Week 2 and the unsightly roadway win over South Florida a week later– when media, fans and even some former players were recommending that Alabama’s season was all however over and that maybe Saban’s finest days lagged him. “I believe individuals forget, and I have actually seen it, that he has an uncanny capability to know what each team requires, what each group of guys require and what each side

of the ball needs, “Steele stated.” And now, it’s anticipated that you’re going to win every game at Alabama, and when you have a game where you don’t win, then all the focus … well, it should be gone. The mystique must be gone [Steele said, indicating a reporter] That’s your word, and he has an extraordinary capability to handle that.”Alabama’s players stated any talk of Saban retiring was probably rooted in other schools and fans hoping that might take place.”He constantly states,’Why would I walk away, and do what?'” said senior defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, who got here on Alabama’s campus in 2019.

“It’s like the very first day I was available in. He’s still got the exact same fire and enthusiasm, and I genuinely think him. I keep in mind when I was getting recruited, individuals were stating that he was going to walk away, and he still hasn’t.” Whenever a coach reaches his 70s, the retirement discussion is going to invariably appear, however Saban has constantly been one to live in the minute. That’s definitely not going to alter now with the stage as huge as ever.”I’ve constantly said that if you’re thinking about retirement, you’re most likely already retired, and I’m not there yet,”Saban told ESPN last month.Saban’s impressive consistency can be defined in many methods, but right up there at the top is that Alabama has never gone more than 2 years without winning a championship game considering that he was employed in 2007.

The Tide have a chance to continue that streak this season.Junior outside linebacker Dallas Turner, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, stated Saban’s steadiness and belief in the team after the shaky play early in the season set the tone for Alabama’s 11-game streak.” It constantly hurts losing, particularly at home, but truthfully there was never truly any panic, “Turner said.”It was similar to a minute where we just had to tighten up as a defense, needed to get things right, and it was a reviewing minute for us as a team.

“Turner said anybody recommending at that point that Saban had actually lost his edge as a coach was woefully out of touch. “A lot of those people saying that never ever played football previously, but it is what it is. People talk,” Turner said.Steele, who has actually understood Saban because 1985, said Saban probably did his best work in keeping everyone in the program grounded and focused after the Crimson Tide started to have

some success following their sluggish start.”People don’t understand the process. It’s the exact same every Sunday [

after games] whether we win by 40 or if we had a hiccup,”Steele stated.”It’s all about the technical enhancement of the players, therefore it really wasn’t any different. I imply, we’re not a personnel that comes in and wins by 40 and everyone’s sitting around eating doughnuts and drinking coffee and laughing and we begin the conference 40 minutes late just because we had a big win. “I indicate, Sundays at the University of Alabama, that’s gone. The 24-hour rule … that’s over.” So no ranting from Saban after that Texas loss? “I wouldn’t say ranting. That’s not proper, however stern instruction,”Steele said, smiling.