Nick Saban Retirement: ‘Shocked’ Stephen A. Smith Reacts to the 7x National Champion Head Coach Retiring After 50 Years

Nick Saban’s retirement is causing shockwaves throughout the college football world. Alabama’s HC was an indispensable part of college football with a long and successful coaching career. Tributes flew in from all over as the HC received best wishes for his life after retirement. While Saban turned 72 last year, he never showed signs of slowing down.

This is a big loss for Alabama and the sports fans as the legendary coach would no longer be visible along the sidelines. His absence would definitely leave a massive void in the side with big shoes to fill. Recently, the news was covered by Stephen A. Smith and he had a strong reaction to the coach’s retirement.

Stephen A. Smith essays his emotions following Nick Saban’s retirement

The revered panelist joined in alongside Elle Duncan on the ESPN Sportscenter as the veteran narrated his own “Saban” story. Smith admitted that he was shocked following the coach’s retirement after 50 years at the gridiron, saying, “When I talked to him what he was telling me Elle was; ‘Hey, you know what, you win where’s there to go you keep on going. You keep on going! You don’t stop until it’s time.’ And he saying, and today it’s time, I’m just shocked that after you go to a national college football playoff and you have somebody like Milroe as your quarterback.”

Nick Saban was perhaps the greatest college coach the world has ever seen! He won 7 National Championship titles in his outstanding career. The HC who took the mantle of Alabama side in 2007, guided them to 6 titles in a 17-year-long tenure. There are plenty of panelists, elite sportspersons, and numerous fans who grew up watching Saban marshal his troops on the field. The greatness of Nick Saban can well be reflected by his stunning stats that show the class of the man!

Going by the numbers! An era defined by Nick Saban

For all the stats lovers out there, here are a few numbers that Nick Saban jotted up in his illustrious career. Starting with 292, yes he has 292 wins to his name which is the 6th most in FBS history and overall 12th most in college football. His 7 national championship title wins are the most by any HC in college history! Saban accounted for 249 wins with Alabama and LSU which are the second only to Bear Bryant’s 292.

ALSO READ: “Shot Clock Was Run Down”: Nick Saban Reveals Crucial Mistakes That Cost Alabama the Rose Bowl Title

Moving on to Alabama, the 72-year-old has 201 wins with the school which is the second-most victories for a particular school in SEC history. The HC led by example as he made Alabama a beast in the NCAA by winning at least 10 games in 16 straight seasons. This is the longest streak since 1936! He sits at the top of the throne with 84.7 as his win percentage for winning with both Alabama and LSU. Now, the most impressive record, Saban in his entire 28 seasons as a head coach never at once had a losing season!

Go well Nick Saban in your post-retirement journey!

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