Category: Nick Saban

Nick Saban reveals hardest place to play in college football

The former Alabama coach makes his pick for the toughest environment in college football.

It is no secret that the environment the Alabama Crimson Tide will play in Saturday night in Baton Rouge is one of the greatest the sport has to offer.

That thought has been echoed by numerous across college football, with the latest in that group being former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who said Saturday morning during ESPN’s “College GameDay” that Tiger Stadium is the toughest place to play in the country.

“I think this is the hardest place to play in college football, because of the LSU fans,” Saban said. “The passion that the people have here is fantastic, and I think it’s great for college football.”

Saban, who was the head coach of the Crimson Tide from 2007-23, certainly knows a thing about coaching in Tiger Stadium, both on the home and away side as the leader of both programs.

The head coach at LSU from 2000-04, Saban had success in Tiger Stadium at Alabama however, owning a combined 6-2 record in Baton Rouge during his time in Tuscaloosa. This also included a five-game winning streak in Tiger Stadium in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

Alabama also lost their most recent trip to Baton Rouge back in 2022, and will look to get back on their winning ways in one of college football’s top environments Saturday night.

WATCH: Nick Saban dresses as Penn State mascot on ‘College GameDay’

Saban dressed as the Penn State mascot Saturday as part of “College GameDay.”

Throughout the 2024 college football season, fans of the sport may have seen a different side to former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban on Saturday mornings as part of ESPN’s “College GameDay” than they might’ve in previous years.

During that span, have you ever seen Saban dress up as a mascot of a college football team, better yet, a program other than Alabama? Well, that is exactly what Saban did Saturday morning in State College, Pennsylvania when the former Alabama head coach donned an outfit to look like the Penn State Nittany Lions mascot.

In a segment Saturday morning on “College GameDay,” Penn State’s mascot delivered a birthday present to Saban, which happened to be an outfit to look like the Nittany Lion. Saban also put the outfit on while the crowd sang happy birthday, drawing the joy of the Penn State crowd.

The video of Saban dressed up as Penn State’s mascot on “College GameDay” can be found below:

What was Nick Saban’s record at Alabama when coaching on his birthday?

Happy birthday to the former Alabama head coach.

Throughout his entire 17-year tenure as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, Nick Saban only coached on his birthday of October 31 once during his time in Tuscaloosa.

That came during the 2020 season when Alabama hosted a SEC opponent in the Mississippi State Bulldogs, a game in which the Crimson Tide were also victorious by a final score of 41-0.

A game that pitted a No. 2 ranked, as well as undefeated, Alabama program against an unranked and struggling Mississippi State team at the time, the Crimson Tide simply dominated this matchup from the start, carrying a 27-0 advantage into halftime.

In the game, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones threw for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns, with every score going to eventual Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who had 11 receptions for 203 yards. Najee Harris also had 21 carries for 119 yards, while the Alabama defense forced three turnovers in a game where the Crimson Tide owned a 499-200 advantage in total yardage.

With Saban’s birthday falling on October 31, Alabama simply did not play often that week, with a big reason as to why being a bye week prior to the LSU game, which is exactly what the Crimson Tide have this week.

That means that Saban retired from Alabama with a perfect 1-0 record on his birthday with the Crimson Tide.

What is Nick Saban’s record when picking Alabama on ‘College GameDay’?

Saban has picked his former team four times so far this season.

Throughout the 2024 college football season so far, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban has been one of the most enjoyable parts weekly as part of ESPN’s Saturday morning show, “College GameDay.”

Now off the sidelines for the Crimson Tide, Saban has taken to the “College GameDay” desk weekly this season, giving his picks and analysis along the way for college football fans to enjoy.

Fans have also searched for Saban’s thoughts when it comes to his former team, with the long-time Alabama coach commenting on the Crimson Tide often, while also even making his pick for some of their games.

Taking a look at the latter of those two, what is Saban’s current record when picking the Crimson Tide so far this season?

In all, Saban and “College GameDay” have picked four Alabama games so far this season, with the former head coach going with the Crimson Tide to win each.

  • Alabama at Wisconsin (9/14) – Alabama
  • Alabama vs. Georgia (9/28) – Alabama
  • Alabama at Tennessee (10/19) – Alabama
  • Alabama vs. Missouri (10/26) – Alabama

Over those four games, Saban currently holds a 3-1 record when picking the Crimson Tide, with the lone loss for Alabama coming against Tennessee.

With another pick likely to come next Saturday when Alabama travels to LSU, will Saban pick the Crimson Tide once again?

WATCH: Nick Saban rides in F1 car for ESPN ‘College GameDay’ segment

The former Alabama head coach was in Austin for “College GameDay” on Saturday morning.

With ESPN’s weekly college football showdown show “College GameDay” broadcasting live from Austin, Texas on Saturday morning, it provided a unique opportunity for former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach and host Nick Saban.

Austin, Texas is set to play host to Formula 1’s Pirelli United States GP this weekend at Circuit of the Americas, and because of this, the former Alabama head coach and “College GameDay” personality took to the track this week to ride in a car around the F1 track.

Saban riding around the track was posted to ESPN’s “College GameDay” social media accounts Friday afternoon, with the full segment airing on the show Saturday morning.

The social media videos of Saban’s ride around the Formula 1 track in Austin can be found below:

Saban’s car ride was one of multiple things the former Alabama head coach did Saturday morning as part of “College GameDay,” including a speech to the Texas crowd, comments on the Tennessee rivalry, and a key to the game.

Nick Saban details his recent involvement with Alabama football

What’s Nick Saban doing in Tuscaloosa? He broke it down to explain.

Though he retired after a lengthy and legendary career, Nick Saban is still present within the college football realm. Recently, he’s been on numerous broadcasts, covering the 2024 NFL draft and the SEC Media Days. However, his presence within the Alabama Crimson Tide football program is still welcomed, and it’s an invitation he’d gladly accepted.

Shortly after Saban announced his retirement, it was made clear that he’d remain in Tuscaloosa and have some sort of affiliation with the program. So much so, that he has an office in Bryant-Denny Stadium. With the recent success new head coach Kalen DeBoer has had on the recruiting trail, some began to raise theories that Saban was still actively recruiting for the Crimson Tide.

Recently, on ESPN, Saban explained what it is that he does and does not do. Sorry to break it to all of the deniers of DeBoer’s recruiting abilities, but Saban has been pretty hands-off when it comes to the team and its efforts in preparing for 2024 and future seasons.

“I don’t go into the building,” Saban said. “I don’t try to meddle in what they have to do. But I want them to know I’m there to help them any way I can. I’ve met with the defensive coordinator numerous times. I’ve met with Kalen numerous times. Recruiting coordinator numerous times. We are there, and we are available, and hopefully we can help them be one of the most competitive teams in the league.”

While he’s not completely absent from the program, Saban is available in an advisory role for DeBoer and his staff, including the recruiting staff. While he may be able to assist, he is far too busy preparing for his new role as an analyst for the beloved College GameDay broadcast that travels the nation all throughout the college football season.

The 2024 season for Alabama begins on the evening of Aug. 31 as the Crimson Tide takes on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in what will officially be the debut of the Kalen DeBoer era for the historical program.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Nick Saban became everyone’s head coach during his acceptance speech

Nick Saban. In a tuxedo. Motivating a room full of the biggest stars in sports.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Nick Saban has won many awards, hoisted plenty of trophies and given many inspiring speeches. However, at the 2024 ESPY’s, something felt different when Saban accepted the Icon Award. He received the award as recognition for the vast amount of success Saban had throughout his coaching career.

Saban stood on stage and addressed not just the countless celebrities and top athletes from across the world, but everyone at home too.

As a successful head football coach, Saban was loved by many – mostly those who supported the teams he coached. Though, he was also loathed by many – mostly fans of opposing teams. Last night, Saban was everybody’s head coach.

“Sports bring people together better than anything,” Saban said. He cracked jokes throughout his speech, but also wanted to send a clear message of positivity and remind all of the influential people who sat before him they have an obligation to lift others up and inspire those who watch them.

Yes, Saban was an outstanding head football coach with plenty of accolades to back up the argument that he’s the greatest of all time. Saban had, and still has, many goals. Winning championships – strike that. Winning in general, was always important to Saban. However, the methods he utilized in pursuit of winning were what separated him from all others.

Though he coached up the players on his team, his goal wasn’t to solely develop them as players, but to develop them as people.

Service projects weren’t just a photo-op for the former Tide head coach and his team. They were something that he was, and likely forever will be, passionate about. And that message has clearly resonated with his players over the decades-long career Saban had, as many still speak on the effect he had on them outside of the game of football.

“People aren’t going to remember what you say. They are going to remember how you made them feel.”

This quote may have been new to many watching the ESPY’s, but for Alabama fans, this is a mantra Saban regularly preaches. Not only does it not get old, but it resonates a little bit more every time he says it.

Nick Saban roasts college football social media critics in hilarious rant

Nick Saban went on one of his classic, hilarious rants. This time, he targeted social media critics.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Nick Saban is still a fresh retiree but has not been shy in front of the cameras. While he has always been willing to share his opinions, even some unpopular ones, Saban continues to voice his thoughts.

Recently, Saban has discussed the current state of college football and its trajectory. However, a recent public appearance was highlighted by a rant against social media critics.

“It amazes me, that some guy sits in his basement, probably in his mom’s house probably in his underwear, probably overweight, and puts something on the internet and anybody cares about what he thinks,” said Saban.

Saban’s relationship with the media, and fans on social media, has always been rocky. Now, however, he is deciding to not hold back and let his frustration blossom into some hilarious soundbites.

He is not wrong, though. Social media has become a bullhorn for fans to voice their thoughts, whether positive or negative. The issue is that coaches and players also read these posts, and they can become rat poison, unnecessarily boosting an individual’s ego, or they can be hurtful.

Regardless, Saban argues that even the most unqualified of people now have a means of letting millions hear their voice. Though it can be a good thing, it oftentimes can be detrimental.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Nick Saban and Alabama football as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Rece Davis reviews Nick Saban’s broadcasting debut

Nick Saban made his ESPN broadcasting debut during the NFL draft. College GameDay host Rece Davis breaks down how it went.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Nick Saban may not be roaming the sidelines of Bryant-Denny Stadium anymore, but fans will still get to see him on Saturdays in the fall. The college football legend will be an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay. He had a set run during the 2024 NFL draft and it went well.

Saban, known for not being the biggest fan of the media, has now swapped sides. He made his ESPN broadcasting debut during the draft, serving as an analyst, and long-time ESPN host Rece Davis was a big fan of how it went.

While on the Pat McAfee Show, Davis shared how insightful Saban was and even mentioned that Saban was caught off guard by the broadcast’s theme. He said he would have wanted to know ahead of time how it was all going to go down so that he could gather stories and intel. Davis responded to Saban by letting him know that all they want is for Nick Saban to share Nick Saban stories and experiences.

This is the beginning of what many ope will be a lengthy career in front of the camera.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

 

Bill O’Brien hired as Alabama offensive coordinator

Bill O’Brien is the offensive coordinator at Alabama, replacing Steve Sarkisian

The Houston Texans don’t have a coach. However, someone who once held that job does have a new position.

Nick Saban announced Thursday that Bill O’Brien is the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama. O’Brien replaces Steve Sarkisian, who took the head coaching job at the University of Texas.

O’Brien was fired in the 2020 NFL regular season after an 0-4 start.

Overall, O’Brien compiled a 52-48 (.520) record with four AFC South titles, four playoff appearances, and two appearances in the AFC Divisional Round with the Texans.

“We are pleased and happy to be able to add Bill O’Brien to our coaching staff,” Saban said. “He has a wealth of experience as both an offensive coordinator and head coach in the NFL and college. Bill is one of the brightest offensive minds in football, an outstanding teacher and excellent recruiter. He will strengthen our coaching staff and give our players the best possible chance to be successful.”

O’Brien, who also was a head coach at Penn State, was thrilled.

“I am honored and excited to join Coach Saban’s staff at The University of Alabama,” O’Brien said. “I have an incredible amount of admiration for the rich football tradition at this University and the success Coach Saban has had during his time in Tuscaloosa. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with some of the best football players in the country while helping to continue the success this program has enjoyed for many years.”

He spent two years leading the Nittany Lions, posting a 15-9 overall record and a 10-6 mark in the Big Ten.

It has been reported another former AFC South head coach is headed for the Crimson Tide. Former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone is reported to be in line for the offensive line coach job in Tuscaloosa.