2024 was a year that entailed a seismic change for the Saban clan. It began with Nick Saban bowing out of the coaching realm after a stellar career across 5 different decades. The CFB sphere has since gotten to see a different side to him via his foray into the media. For members of his family, retirement has afforded them more time together. New Year celebrations this time around were bound to be extra special. Coach, being his stoic, classy, subtle self, joined his wife, Miss Terry and went that extra yard for daughter Kristen Saban.

Kristen’s social media activity is a proponent of just how much of a family man Nick Saban is. This was conspicuous to fans throughout his career as well. These days, though, it’s more prominent. Kristen Saban got treated to a nice end-of-year surprise dinner courtesy of her parents, and the gesture left her short for words- conjuring just 5!

She took to her IG account to post pictures from the restaurant she was dining at. Fair warning: we wouldn’t suggest you view them on an empty stomach! One of the pictures includes what looks like a hand-drawn greeting card, reading “Happy New Year from Mom + Dad”. Got to say, if it was Nick Saban who drew that, then his drawing up plays on a whiteboard sure didn’t go in vain.

Seeing this, Kristen Saban captioned it, saying, “ They’re so cute I can’t🥹” Kristen is a mother herself, but she’d always remain a kid to coach and Miss Terry after all. There’s nothing that expresses love more than investing time into the relationship. Nick Saban didn’t have the luxury of being around for Kristen’s childhood every step of the way. He’s perhaps making up for lost time now, one rather intricately hand-drawn card at a time. 

Speaking of kids, Kristen Saban shared a priceless moment during her IG spree. One that’s a microcosm of the work Nick Saban has put in, as his legacy down in Tuscaloosa permeates across generations of his lineage.

Nick Saban affords his grandson a taste of life as an Alabama fan

His biggest fan probably still remains his first one- his wife Terry. Miss Terry has been alongside her husband throughout his escapades on and off the gridiron. The two met all the way back in middle school. It’s only right that her daughter continued this. Kristen is married to her high-school sweetheart, Adam Setas, and the couple have a son, James. 

Kristen posted a video of James at centre-field in Bryant-Denny Stadium, absolutely buzzing to meet Big Al, the Crimson Tide’s mascot elephant. As he pulls Big Al in for a hug, Nick Saban and Miss Terry are standing alongside him, watching in awe. Kristen posted this in reply to a “Favorite 2024 pic w/Big Al” poll. “My HEART🥲” she wrote.

2024 wasn’t quite a year to cherish for people within the Alabama program. Certainly not for the fanbase, either. But the house that Nick Saban built stands on robust foundations. They’ll be back to the upper echelons sooner or later. For now, their figurehead can finally bring joy to his family now that his custodianship has ended. Just as he brought it about for the fans.