Alabama coach Nick Saban answers questions about retirement frequently and at every turn, reminds those who follow Crimson Tide that he is enjoying life on top of the world of college football. With the nation’s top-ranked team this fall, Alabama is the favorite to win a national title – a perfect opportunity to ride at sunset for Saban, according to ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.
Finebaum said before the Alabama Rose Bowl clash with Notre Dame that this trip to the College Football Playoff could be the best coach in the game.
“It would be a perfect farewell,” said Finebaum on Friday during ESPN’s pre-match coverage. “Seven national championships, six in Alabama, one at LSU. He’s already the greatest coach in college football history, but that would put him beyond Bear Bryant, who also trained in Alabama. That said, no, I don’t think he will give up, even after perhaps his best technical job.
“Every time his team plays for a national championship, we talk about it, and every time he says’ I’m still a young man. … I bet he’ll be back for another year. “
Before the SEC championship game last month, the 69-year-old answered the last question about retirement.
“I am excited about the opportunity that lies ahead,” said Saban. “Obviously, I love doing what I do and I want to continue doing it as long as I feel I can contribute positively to the program. This is practically the only plan I have for the future. We have a lot of good players here. We try to create a lot of value for our players here, so that they have a better chance of success in the future. It is very rewarding.
“If I thought that my presence here was not a positive thing for the University of Alabama or with the program, with the players, then I would say it is time not to do that anymore.”
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Saban is in his 14th year as coach of the Crimson Tide and has led Alabama, among the best ranked, to his fifth unbeaten regular season and a record season of 13 consecutive wins.