Legendary head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement from college football suddenly following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, and it sounds like some demands from players certainly played a role in that decision.
During a recent interview with ESPN, Nick Saban revealed that following the team’s loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoff, the vast majority of the players on the roster were seeking assurances of playing time and money if they were going to stick around the program for another season.
“I thought we could have a [heck] of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80 percent of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?” Saban recounted. “Our program here was always built on how much value can we create for your future and your personal development, academic success in graduating and developing an NFL career on the field.
“So I’m saying to myself, ‘Maybe this doesn’t work anymore, that the goals and aspirations are just different and that it’s all about how much money can I make as a college player?’ I’m not saying that’s bad. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that’s never been what we were all about, and it’s not why we had success through the years.”
Sabana made it clear that those conversations with players were not the single reason why he decided to retire, but it certainly didn’t help as he was already considering retirement.
[ESPN]
