Everybody deserves a second chance! That’s what Nick Saban feels. He may have retired as a coach from college football, but his legacy remains as one of the best head coaches ever! But this time, it’s not about his stats and achievements in the field. It’s about something he said about how to treat young college athletes. 

We all make mistakes, but the 72-year-old believes in second chances as long as there’s repentance. The former Alabama Crimson Tide HC’s words of wisdom touched so many people who lauded him, including a Colorado staffer who agreed to his take wholeheartedly. Keep reading to know what Nick Saban said and how this Buffs coach responded to it. 

CU Buffs Director of Player Personnel Corey Phillips endorses Nick Saban’s quote on giving second chances. In his IG story on July 21, he uploaded a photo of Saban and his quote that read “Where do you want him to be? You want him to be in the street? Or do you want him to be here graduating?” In response to this, he captioned the story, “We work in the kid business!!”

Nick Saban delivered this powerful message about giving second chances during his speech at SEC Media Days on Wednesday. In March 2023, DB Tony Mitchell was suspended from Alabama after his arrest for drug use. He was then sentenced to two years of probation and would’ve never gotten another chance at playing football if it wasn’t for Saban, who gave him a chance to return and correct his mistakes. The retired HC said, “There’s a process that we try to go through when we can give players a second chance… Most of us in this room, including myself, did something in my life that probably wasn’t a great choice and a great decision.” After all, to err is human, but to forgive is divine. And it isn’t only players that Saban has given a second chance to. 

Nick Saban likes giving second chances

Did you know that Nick Saban’s gracious nature gave Texas Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian a second chance? He wouldn’t be coaching one of the top CFB programs after what happened when he was fired as the USC coach for his erratic and bizarre behavior. But following this dark phase of his life, Sarkisian found a silver lining when Saban took him under his wings. 

Last September, Saban said, “I like giving people second chances. I think their willingness to do the right things and whatever their mistakes were, they’re trying to fix it and look for an opportunity. When Sark was here, the first time he did such a good job… I was glad I gave him a second chance.” Sarkisian was able to rise from the ashes to become one of the top CFB coaches because Saban showed him kindness and gave him a second chance. In a world full of competition, it never hurts to slow down and spread love and kindness.