Nick Saban was tremendously successful during his coaching career, but he has one regret.
Saban appeared on Tuesday’s “The Pivot” show, which was hosted by Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor. During the program, Saban was questioned whether he had any regrets about his career. Saban admitted that there was one mistake he made: quitting college.
“Leaving LSU was perhaps the worst professional mistake I’ve ever made. Not because we weren’t successful in Miami, but because I enjoyed coaching there. Saban stated that he prefers college coaching because it allows for greater player development than pro ball.
Saban even claimed that when he was considering leaving, his agent asked him if he wanted to leave a legacy like Bear Bryant or Vince Lombardi. Saban knew he wanted to be like Bryant, but he accepted the Dolphins job nevertheless.
Nick Saban only has one regret… leaving LSU. Sitting on then LSU athletic Director’s Skip Bertman’s balcony Nick’s agent Jimmy Sexton asked…
“Do you want to be Bear Bryant or Vince Lombardi?”Without hesitation Saban answered “Bear Bryant”. Still, he made the decision to… pic.twitter.com/l6ikTPa9RC
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 21, 2025
Though Saban considers the move to be a mistake, he admits that it helped him understand more about himself and confirmed his decision to coach at the collegiate level. He was able to make amends by moving to Alabama and solidifying his legacy as the greatest college football coach ever.
Nick Saban won seven national championships in his career, one at LSU and six with Alabama. He was named SEC Coach of the Year five times and AP Coach of the Year twice. Last year, the 73-year-old announced his retirement and has since worked in the media.
