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Nick Saban shocked nan assemblage shot world erstwhile he announced his retirement from coaching. The seven-time nationalist title victor has since taken connected a "supportive" domiciled astatine Alabama, nan programme he coached to six nationalist titles.
While Saban faced challenges passim his storied career, he besides had to contend pinch disapproval distant from nan field. In December, nan undefeated Florida State Seminoles were near retired of nan apical 4 successful nan College Football Playoff rankings. The Saban-led Crimson Tide took nan 4th and last playoff spot, which sparked controversy.
Some upset fans decided to interaction Saban directly.
"My phone’s been getting blown up from group who didn’t get in. As if I’m responsible for that," Saban said connected "The Pat McAfee Show" past December. This week, Saban offered a much blunt return connected "internet haters."
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Nick Saban of nan Alabama Crimson Tide earlier nan SEC title crippled against nan Georgia Bulldogs astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 4, 2021, successful Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Saban said 1 of nan challenges he faced arsenic a coach was trying to minimize nan effect of "external factors," for illustration opinions connected nan internet.
"It amazes maine that immoderate feline sits successful his basement, astir apt successful his mom’s house, astir apt successful his underwear, astir apt overweight, and he puts thing connected nan net and anybody cares astir what he thinks," Saban said astatine nan Irondale Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast successful Alabama.
"But it would impact our players," Saban said. "And I was perpetually trying to get them not to beryllium affected by outer factors, what different group think."
NICK SABAN REVEALS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO ALABAMA RETIREMENT
Saban added that "doing nan correct things" should yet transportation much weight.
"You trusting and believing and doing nan correct things is truthful overmuch much important than what personification other thinks," Saban said. "So, that was 1 of nan astir challenging things, to not fto outer factors — and you’ve heard maine usage nan word ‘rat poison’ — impact what you do and really you do it."
Alabama caput coach Nick Saban reacts aft moving backmost Jase McClellan scored a touchdown during nan 2nd half of nan Rose Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal crippled against Michigan Jan. 1, 2024, successful Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Saban besides reflected connected nan "most humiliating" nonaccomplishment of his coaching career.
"If you retrieve backmost nan first twelvemonth we were astatine Alabama, we mislaid to ULM," Saban said. "You whitethorn not moreover cognize what that stands for — University of Louisiana-Monroe. It was nan astir humiliating defeat, possibly of my full coaching career."
The crippled Saban was referring to happened successful 2007 astatine Bryant-Denny Stadium. Louisiana-Monroe celebrated a 21-14 triumph complete nan Crimson Tide.
"I deliberation we had 5 guys suspended by nan NCAA," Saban said. "We had 3 much suspended for disciplinary reasons. We played horrible successful nan game. I was almost ashamed of really we represented nan assemblage and nan program. We fumbled nan shot six times. So, we ended up getting hit successful nan game. Everybody’s disappointed. Fans are disappointed."
Head coach Nick Saban of nan Alabama Crimson Tide speaks during 2023 SEC Media Days astatine Grand Hyatt Nashville July 19, 2023, successful Nashville. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Shortly aft Saban's retirement, Alabama announced Kalen DeBoer would time off nan Washington Huskies and return nan caput coaching domiciled successful Tuscaloosa.
"I want to bring nan slightest magnitude of attraction to maine being astir present arsenic possible," Saban told ESPN. "So, I want to beryllium supportive. I want to beryllium helpful, but I don't want to beryllium looking complete anybody's shoulder."
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Saban will measurement into his caller domiciled arsenic an expert connected ESPN's "College GameDay" later this year.
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