How GOAT Nick Saban’s Coaching Lives on This Season Despite Retirement?

Saban has more than 50 years of coaching experience, which includes 17 seasons at Alabama. Nick Saban may have closed his chapter of coaching teams, but he was no ordinary HC. He has 7 national titles under his belt, which is more than any other college football coach out there. And so, even though he is no longer prowling the sidelines, his influence is being felt at the start of the 2024 season.

There is a lot more to Saban than his accomplishments; it’s not just the titles and his record standing 206-29 at Alabama. It’s about the process he put into his teams- hard work, discipline, and the right way of working. This mentality wasn’t put to bed once Saban left; instead, it’s been passed on to the post-Saban coaches. Steve Sarkisian at Texas and Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss are bringing their upgraded versions of the “Saban Style” to the field. While each coach has put their spin on it, the core principles—discipline, preparation, and a focus on fundamentals—remain unmistakably Saban-esque. 

This season, will we be able to see the coaches leading their teams differently? Nope! We’re essentially watching Nick Saban’s legacy in action. The greatest coach in college football history may have retired, but his influence is far from over.

As much as people may think that Alabama is done for, now that Saban is no longer around, don’t be fooled. The university is still loaded with talent and the current staff will uphold all the principles of Saban. As Saban himself has often said, “The rules for the game of football may change, but the ‘process’ will never go out of style.”

Nick Saban’s influence on the 2024 season

The game is not the same as it was 50 years ago and as Deion Sanders said, “Change might have chased the GOAT away.”, though Saban might not be on the field again, his coaching and his ideas are still felt through the coaches whom he trained and his legacy will always be seen in college football for many years to come.

Kane Wommack appointed as a new defensive coordinator for Alabama, is following the same traits of Saban and is still in contact with the GOAT. “I think one of the things that I didn’t expect and didn’t realize is how giving coach Saban is and how good he’s been to me”, remarked Wommack. There is a long-standing relationship between Wommack and Saban, which is a great advantage for the Alabama defense since they now have a trump card– “The Saban Style”.

Saban’s influence does not stop at the level of the coaching staff but also concerns the players. One of the best football players of Alabama, Jalen Milroe, managed to train under the leadership of Saban and in the 2023 season scored 2834 yards and 23 touchdowns. In a similar regard, Malachi Moore, Alabama’s defensive captain, returned for another year after being trusted by Saban registering 51 tackles in the previous season. Both players are great examples of all that has been learned from Saban, and with the GOAT available in an advisory capacity, his influence continues to propel the Crimson Tide forward.