We have the Nick Saban retirement story on the site (Nick Saban retires | The Football Beat), and there will be a Saban-possible-replacement story coming soon. But we thought everyone might like to read, in one place rather than scattered, some quotes about the legendary college football coach from around the sports world, on the day, Jan. 10, 2024, that he announced his retirement.
- “Simply put, Nick Saban is one of the greatest coaches of all time, in any sport, and The University of Alabama is fortunate to have had him leading our football program for the past 17 seasons. Throughout his career as a head coach, his teams have won seven national championships, 11 conference championships and 312 games, and he’s developed an NCAA-record 49 NFL first-round draft picks and, most importantly, hundreds of college graduates. He is the consummate coach, mentor and leader, and his impact is felt far beyond the football field.” – Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne
- “I think he’s the greatest coach in the history of football. There are a lot of great coaches, but what he’s done and the consistency that he did it – in an era where so many people and things are coming at you – is remarkable.” – Michigan State head men’s basketball coach, longtime Saban friend Tom Izzo
- “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!!” – Former Alabama and NFL running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram
- “WOW! College Football just lost the GOAT to retirement. WOW! I knew it would happen 1 day soon but not this soon. The game has change so much that it chased the GOAT away. College football let’s hold up our mirrors and say HONESTLY what u see.” – Colorado head football coach, Saban commercial partner and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Deion Sanders
- “It was a true honor to coach against you throughout the years. Enjoy your retirement!” – Central Florida head football coach, former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn
- “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 great sport of CFB! Excited to see what’s next!” – College football, NFL analyst Kirk Herbstreit
- “Enjoy retirement Nicky my boy! Hell of a damn coaching career. Thanks for helping so many young men reach their goals and dreams #RMFT” – Former Alabama, NFL linebacker Dont’a Hightower
- “Built by ‘Bama. Happy retirement.” – Former Alabama, NFL running back Kenyan Drake
- “The 2 GOAT’s! Would not be where I am today without these two men as mentors! Thank you for everything!” – Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, on X/Twitter under a photo he posted of Saban and Pete Carroll, who departed the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.
- “Nick Saban is the best to ever do it!” – Fox analyst and former Southern Cal quarterback Matt Leinart
- “Nick Saban is the greatest coach in the history of college football. And at his age, he didn’t need to put up with the utter nonsense the sport has become. Congratulations Coach, they’ll never be another like you.” – ESPN “Get Up!” host and personality Mike Greenberg
- “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.” – NFL insider and former college reporter Ian Rapoport
- “I remember my very first meeting with Nick Saban after he got the Alabama job. I asked him what was going to be his biggest challenge. He said: “Making people understand there will only be one voice in this program. And that’s mine.” Mission accomplished.” – College football writer Tony Barnhart
- “Wow. I did not see this coming. One of the best college coaches of all time. Honored to have had the chance to work with him and get to know him. I truly enjoyed my years covering Bama and so much of that was because of Nick Saban. #RollTide” – CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson
- “Nick Saban is the greatest college football coach of all time. He dominated the best conference at its absolute apex. Had a team ranked number one in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. We will never see this happen again” – Longtime sports and political commentator Clay Travis
- “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.” – ESPN “SportsCenter” host Scott Van Pelt
- “NICK SABAN, GREATEST OF ALL TIME! HAPPY RETIREMENT, COACH!” – Former ESPN college analyst and Georgia defender David Pollack
- “So honored and blessed to have learned from them and won national championships with both. Thanks for taking a chance on me and being amazing mentors to me. Appreciate you both more than you will ever know. Greatness we may never see again.” – Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, on Saban’s retirement and Pete Carroll’s exit from Seattle
