Several coaches have given Nick Saban his “flowers” during their appearances at the lectern during SEC Media Days this week in Dallas, a few noting that the conference and college football were poorer for Saban having retired after 17 seasons at Alabama.
But Saban, now a college football analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network, joked Tuesday that at least one coach was sorry to see him go. He said during Josh Heupel’s appearance on SEC Now that memories of Tennessee’s 52-49 win over Alabama in Knoxville in 2022 might have left the Volunteers coach wishing Saban had stuck around.
“You’re probably one of the few coaches that are not so pleased that I retired since you guys put 52 on up at Tennessee,” Saban said. “I mean, you’re saying ‘I wish this guy was back.’”
Heupel just smiled slightly, but didn’t respond. SEC Network panelist Benjamin Watson replied, “I don’t know how to follow that, Coach.”
Tennessee’s 52 points vs. Alabama two years ago were the most against the Crimson Tide in the Saban era and the second-most against any Saban-coached team. Only Nebraska in 1996 exceeded that total when the Cornhuskers beat Michigan State 55-14 in Saban’s second season with the Spartans.
Tennessee hosts Alabama — now led by coach Kalen DeBoer — in Knoxville on Oct. 19.