Reactions to the retirement of Alabama football coach Nick Saban:
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“Coach Saban is the GOAT!! Thanks for believing in a young man from Flint, Michigan. Helped me become a champion on the field, but more importantly a champion in LIFE. Enjoy retirement Coach, you earned that!! Love you Coach Saban, ROLL TIDE!!” — Mark Ingram II, former player, 2009 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion with Alabama
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Enjoy retirement Nicky my boy! Hell of a damn coaching career. Thanks for helping so many young men reach their goals and dreams #RMFT.” — Dont’a Hightower, former player, consensus All-American at Alabama and two-time national champion (2009, 2011)
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“He was on the call and was as adamant about the game of college football as ever. So, ‘Poker Face.’” — Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz, who heard the news during a radio show, on Saban’s participation hours earlier on a Zoom call with other SEC coaches.
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“I want to wish Coach Saban all the best in this next chapter of his life. Winning a national championship while being part of his staff will always hold a special place in my heart. His impact on the game of football is immeasurable, as evidenced by the many coaches who have served on his staffs and gone on to lead programs of their own at a high level. As one of the most influential coaches in my career, I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me, the great state of West Virginia and College Football! Thank you, Coach!” — Marshall coach Charles Huff, who was an Alabama assistant coach in 2019 and 2020.
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“WOW! College Football just lost the GOAT to retirement. WOW! I knew it would happen 1 day soon but not this soon. The game has change so much that it chased the GOAT away. College football let’s hold up our mirrors and say HONESTLY what u see.” — Deion Sanders, Colorado football coach
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“I think he’s the greatest coach in the history of football. There are a lot of great coaches, but what he’s done and the consistency that he did it — in an era where so many people and things are coming at you — is remarkable.” — Tom Izzo, Michigan State basketball coach and longtime Saban friend
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“Time for pops to sit back in his rocking chair.” — Sedrick Irvin, a star running back for Saban at Michigan State and an intern on his Alabama staff during the 2008-09 seasons.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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