Nick Saban just dropped some wholesome gold on ‘The Pivot Podcast,’ and it’s a total vibe. Imagine the former iron-fisted college football boss now turning into the softest grandpa you’ve ever seen. The man who once grilled his daughter’s dates with questions like, “What do you play?” is now out here playing T-ba-l with his grandson in the driveway. Who would’ve thought, right? But don’t get it twisted—Grandpa Saban still has that edge. Let’s dive into this heartfelt and hilarious transition.

When Ryan Clark asked Saban about his infamous “dating rules,” the legend didn’t hold back. “When the doorbell rang and Kristen had a date, everybody ran to open the door because they didn’t want me to open it,” Saban recalled, smirking. And if he got to the door first? Game over. “First thing I’d look at the guy and I’d say, ‘What do you play?’ Just intimidate the [expletive] out of him.” Classic Saban. Adam Setas played hockey at Bama during his uni days. Sad to say, Nick Saban ain’t the guy to be impressed easily.

But what if the poor kid was in the band? Saban’s reply: “I’d still invite the guy in, but he knew I was disappointed he wasn’t a competitor.” And Channing Crowed asked, “How did the husband [Adam Setas] break through?” Nick Saban gave a subtle-not-so-impressed-sarcastically hook, “I mean he’s a good guy, they’re all great.” Fast forward, Kristen’s now married to Adam Setas, a Merrill Lynch VP. The couple might have gone through some ups and downs, but they’ve blessed Saban with a grandkid—James Nickolas, aka Jamie. And got another grandkid from his son, Amelie. And here’s the kicker: Amelie and Jamie’s brought out a whole new side of Saban. “I just melt around the grandkids,” he admitted. From T-ba-l to driveway football, Grandpa Saban’s got that soft spot locked in.

Hearing about Saban’s shift from the intense, no-nonsense coach to the doting grandpa is like watching a whole new chapter unfold. His daughter Kristen spilled the tea during a 2024 interview, saying, “He’s great with Jamie. I think it’s fun for him … now that we have James, he’s the boy, and my dad can play, you know, T-ba-l with him in the driveway.” Jamie’s the competitor Grandpa Saban can’t help but adore.

It’s clear that family means everything to him. And let’s be honest—it’s heartwarming to see the man who once scared teenage boys at his doorstep now melting over his grandkids.

Nick Saban’s career regret

Now, let’s flip the script. Saban’s had a near-perfect coaching career, but even he’s got one regret: leaving LSU for the Miami Dolphins. “When I left LSU, that was probably professionally the biggest mistake that I ever made,” Saban said during the podcast. “Not because we didn’t have success in Miami—because I enjoyed coaching in Miami. But I found out in that experience that I like coaching in college better because you can develop players … a little more than in pro ba-l.”

His agent even asked him, “Do you want to have a Bear Bryant legacy or a Vince Lombardi legacy?” Saban wanted the Bryant route but still took the NFL plunge. While he categorizes it as a mistake, it’s one that taught him his true calling. And boy, he did rectify it. Returning to college football and taking over at Alabama, Saban went on to win seven national championships, cementing himself as the G.O.A.T. of college football.

Saban’s journey from hard-nosed coach to loving grandpa shows a softer side of the legend. Sure, he’ll always be literally known for his football dominance—seven national championships, multiple Coach of the Year awards, and a diabolical legacy. But now, he’s embracing a role that’s just as fulfilling: being Grandpa Saban. As he himself put it, “I just melt around the grandkids.” And honestly? That’s a legacy worth celebrating.