Alabama football head coach retiring after 17 seasons

Alabama’s football coach is retiring after 17 seasons in charge.

(WIAT) – TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Nick Saban, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s head coach for over two decades, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Saban took over the Alabama football program in 2007 and coached the Crimson Tide to an official record of 206-29.

Under Saban, Alabama appeared in 23 bowl games, winning 16 of them, won 10 SEC West crowns, nine SEC Championships, and won six national championships.

“The University of Alabama has always been a very special place to Terry and me,” Saban said in a statement. “It’s not just about how many games we won and lost; it’s about leaving a legacy and how we did it.” We always strived to do things correctly.”

Saban is famous for his scowl on the sidelines and fierce attitude — and for winning. He has more national championships than any other major college coach. During his 17 seasons at Alabama, he won six championships. His first was with LSU in 2003.

Terry Saban, Nick Saban’s wife, posted on their “incredible run” at Alabama on the Nick’s Kids Foundation Facebook page.

“We hope that the Saban legacy will be about helping others and making a positive difference in people’s lives as well as the winning tradition on the field,” Terry Saban said in a statement.

Saban began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Kent State in 1973. He has a career record of 297-71-1 as a college head coach, with spells at Toledo, Michigan State, and LSU. But it was at Alabama that he cemented his reputation as one of college football’s finest coaches.