“The biggest change for me as a person is that I lived my whole life for the last 50 years being in a hurry.”
While he was busy lurking the sidelines at Alabama, Nick Saban is learning how to live the elements of life he missed.
In an interview with ESPN, the 72-year-old Saban said he had missed a lot over the years despite his relentless efforts as a coach and his seven national championships—six of which he earned with the Crimson Tide.
As he gets ready for his new position as an ESPN analyst, Saban, who announced his retirement from coaching in January, is currently catching up on life. He will cover the NFL Draft for the network in the near future, in addition to serving as an analyst for SEC football and College GameDay.
In an extensive interview with ESPN.com, Saban revealed that he has been analyzing players and watching footage in order to get ready for the draft. He’s found time to relax despite preparing for his draft, despite his renowned hectic schedule in Tuscaloosa.
He acknowledges that slowing down hasn’t been simple.
“The most significant shift in my life has been that I have spent the last 50 years living hurriedly,” Saban stated. It said, “Hurry up and come on over. Move quickly to get there. Attend this meeting on time. In an hour, you have another meeting. What remarks will you make to the employees? What remarks will you make to the team?
“I mean, there were just deadlines after deadlines.” I would be rushing, even if I was just heading to the lake for a holiday. For what purpose? However, it’s just the way you were constructed.
He can now spend more time with his family, which includes Terry, his 52-year wife. She even sent him a letter that outlined his expectations, titled “The Ten Commandments of Retirement.” Saban has helpers ready at Alabama to take care of everyday tasks. Saban is now becoming independent.
Terry Saban told ESPN, “He’s actually sending his first-ever email, reading his own emails, and texting.” He even made his very first trip to the drugstore to get his first prescription filled. In actuality, he feels rather pleased of himself.
Be not fooled by Saban’s seeming lack of tech knowledge. With his unique football knowledge, he is prepared for his new role at ESPN. College GameDay host Rece Davis recently stated on the podcast for the program, “I don’t have any doubt” that Saban will succeed on College GameDay, despite the opinion of several media experts that he would be better suited for job as a game analyst.
Nevertheless, Saban will continue to monitor Alabama football even after retiring. He will continue to run a modest office on campus, this time in Bryant-Denny Stadium rather than his previous spot in the team’s building. He promises to maintain his distance.
“I wish to draw as little attention to my presence here as possible,” Saban remarked. So I’d like to offer my support. Although I don’t want to be watching over people’s shoulders, I still want to be helpful.
