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The Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa is over after the longtime Alabama Crimson Tide head coach announced his retirement after 17 years of leading the program earlier this week.
Everyone has been sharing their thoughts and personal stories about Saban in the 24 hours since his retirement, but one person who we had not heard from was the one and only Miss Terry, who has been by his side every step of the way.
Now, Miss Terry is breaking her silence and issued the first official family statement on Saban’s retirement on the Nick’s Kids Foundation Facebook page.
“It has been an incredible run these last 17 years at the University of Alabama and we take with us many amazing memories. We hope that the Saban legacy will be about helping others and making a positive difference in people’s lives as well as the winning tradition on the field,” Miss Terry wrote.
“Our Nick’s Kids Foundation will continue to help children, student, and teacher causes in the State of Alabama. The rules for the game of football may change, but the ‘process’ will never go out of style: hard work, discipline, the relentless pursuit of a worthy goal, not cutting corners, and doing things the right way for the sake of constant personal improvement, not for the scoreboard.
“Alabama will always feel like ‘Sweet Home’ to our family, and we’ll be cheering ‘Roll Tide’!”
Saban was hired by the University of Alabama in 2007 and had a wildly successful tenure that included six national championships and 11 Southeastern Conference titles.
Greatness Witnessed ❤️#RollTide pic.twitter.com/WT2CrzOmtL
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) January 12, 2024
During his time leading the Crimson Tide, Saban coached Heisman Trophy winners Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, DeVonta Smith, and Bryce Young, who were the first four Heisman winners in Alabama history.
The 72-year-old Saban compiled a 297-71-1 record as a head coach, ranking No. 5 on the all-time win list.
Saban began his coaching career as an assistant at Kent State in 1973. He would continue to serve as a defensive assistant for Syracuse, West Virginia, Ohio State, Navy, Michigan State, and the Houston Oilers before getting his first head coaching gig at Toledo.
Saban also held coaching jobs at Michigan State; and LSU, where he won another national title; and a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins.
