Saban retiring after 17 years with Alabama
Nick Saban is retiring after 17 seasons with Alabama, the program announced Wednesday.
"The University of Alabama has been a very special place to (my wife) Terry and me," Saban said in a statement. "We have enjoyed every minute of our 17 years being the head coach at Alabama, as well as becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community."
Saban spent 28 seasons as a head coach for Division I football programs. He finishes his career with a 297-71-1 record and seven national championships. Saban captured his first title with LSU in 2003 before winning six during his time with Alabama.
Saban's 297 victories rank fifth on the all-time college football list.
"It is not just about how many games we won and lost, but it's about the legacy and how we went about it," Saban continued. "We always tried to do it the right way. The goal was always to help players create more value for their future, be the best player they could be, and be more successful in life because they were part of the program. Hopefully, we have done that, and we will always consider Alabama our home."
The 72-year-old led Alabama to a 12-2 record this season. The team fell to eventual national champion Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Saban holds the all-time records for most first-round NFL players produced with 49 and the most first-rounders produced from one school at 44. Joe Paterno is second in both categories after having 33 with Penn State.
Alabama has produced at least one first-round pick in a record 15 consecutive drafts under Saban's tutelage.
He spent most of his career with Alabama, but he also made stops at Toledo (1990), Michigan State (1995-99), and LSU (2000-04). His lone NFL head coaching position was with the Miami Dolphins from 2005-06.
Saban won five SEC Coach of the Year awards, two Paul "Bear" Bryant College Football Coach of the Year Awards, two Walter Camp Coach of the Year Awards, and a pair of AP College Football Coach of the Year awards during his career, among other accolades.