Watch: Nick Saban reacts to surprise College Football Hall of Fame news with a heartfelt message to Alabama crimson tide
Nick Saban was caught off guard when he learned about his latest honor. The former Alabama head coach, who had retired exactly one year prior, was working as an analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay on Friday evening, preparing for the Cotton Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff. Unbeknownst to him, his colleagues on the show were aware of the big news—his selection for the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class.
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The man who led Alabama to six national championships was genuinely surprised when fellow analyst Rece Davis broke the news to him.
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“When did that happen?” Saban asked, visibly caught off guard. “I didn’t know anything about that.”
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The announcement, which coincided with the anniversary of his retirement from coaching, was met with cheers and congratulations from his coworkers on the ESPN set. Saban smiled as he shook hands with his colleagues, who celebrated the well-deserved recognition. Analyst Pat McAfee handed him a commemorative football to mark the occasion.
Saban, true to his nature, shifted the focus away from himself during a brief speech. Known throughout his career for emphasizing teamwork and collective effort, he deflected the praise and credited the people he worked with for his success.
“Thank you so much,” Saban said. “But anytime anything like this happens, it’s because you had a lot of great people in your organization. A lot of great players, a lot of great coaches, a lot of support staff, and they made a great team. And I was happy to drive the bus, but we had some great people on it, so thank you so much.”
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His humble words encapsulated the leadership philosophy that defined his illustrious coaching career. Saban’s legacy in college football is unparalleled. Over his tenure as Alabama’s head coach, he not only transformed the program but also established himself as one of the greatest coaches in the sport’s history. His six national championships with the Crimson Tide cemented his status as a legendary figure in college football.
The National Football Foundation has announced that the rest of the 2025 Hall of Fame class will be revealed on January 15. The official induction ceremony for Saban and his fellow inductees is scheduled for December 9 in Las Vegas.
