Alabama Fans Won’t Like Nick Saban’s Greatest Regret
Nick Saban is a name synonymous with college football excellence. As the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, he has crafted one of the most successful dynasties in the history of the sport, amassing multiple national championships, SEC titles, and an army of devoted fans who consider him the greatest coach of all time. Saban’s meticulous attention to detail, his ability to recruit the best talent, and his unrivaled success on the field have made him a legend in the college football world.
However, despite his unparalleled achievements, even Saban is not immune to regret. Throughout his storied career, there has been one aspect of his time at Alabama that he has often hinted at as his greatest regret—a decision that might not sit well with Alabama fans. This regret doesn’t come from a particular game or a controversial loss; rather, it revolves around a decision regarding the future of the Alabama football program. In fact, it’s a regret that has to do with the one thing that Saban values most: his legacy.
While Saban’s regrets might not always be as publicized as his championship celebrations, they give us a glimpse into the mind of a coach who has always strived for perfection. For Alabama fans, however, this regret could sting. Here’s a look at Saban’s greatest regret, and why it’s one Alabama fans may not want to hear.
The Greatest Regret: Not Being More Involved in Alabama’s Quarterback Situation
While it’s clear that Saban is one of the best talent evaluators in college football, his greatest regret centers around the development and management of his quarterbacks over the years. Alabama fans are accustomed to seeing top-tier quarterbacks donning the crimson jersey, from the legendary Joe Namath to Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones. However, the quarterback position has also been a point of frustration at times during Saban’s tenure, especially with regards to the development of young quarterbacks and the transitions from one signal-caller to another.
Saban himself has admitted that, early in his career at Alabama, he didn’t always give the quarterback position the amount of attention it deserved. In his early years, Alabama had strong defenses and effective running games that often overshadowed the quarterback position. The offensive identity of the team was grounded in a power-running game with an elite defense, which often allowed Saban to mask the occasional struggles of the quarterback position. While players like Greg McElroy and AJ McCarron were more than capable quarterbacks, it wasn’t until the arrival of Tua Tagovailoa in 2017 that the quarterback position truly became a centerpiece of Saban’s Alabama teams.
However, Saban’s greatest regret comes from the times when he didn’t give enough attention to his quarterbacks. Specifically, his lack of involvement in the early phases of developing his quarterbacks has been a thorn in his side. While he was focused on building one of the best defenses in the country, it became apparent that the quarterback position was something he needed to treat with the same level of intensity. The decision to be less hands-on with quarterbacks in the early years of his tenure at Alabama is one that he has looked back on as a missed opportunity to build even greater consistency at the position.
Why Alabama Fans Might Not Like This Regret
For Alabama fans, the notion that Saban might regret not paying enough attention to quarterbacks could be unsettling. Saban has always been regarded as a mastermind, with the ability to shape players into elite-level performers. The idea that he could have been even more successful had he devoted more time to the development of quarterbacks raises some uncomfortable questions.
The quarterback position has long been a source of pride for Alabama fans. From the time of Joe Namath’s legendary days in the 1960s, to the more recent successes of Tagovailoa and Jones, Alabama fans have always expected a certain level of quarterback play. While the team has won national championships with various styles of quarterbacks—such as McElroy, McCarron, and even Jalen Hurts—there have been moments where the team could have benefited from better quarterback play or a more seamless transition between signal-callers.
For example, Alabama fans have often pointed to the 2015 season as one that could have been even more dominant with a more stable quarterback situation. The team was loaded with talent, especially on defense and at running back, but quarterback play was inconsistent at times. Jake Coker did a good job managing games, but he was not considered an elite quarterback, and Alabama had struggles when they faced teams with more experienced or highly-touted quarterbacks. If Saban had been more hands-on in quarterback development earlier, it’s possible that Alabama could have had a more consistently dominant offense during that period.
Additionally, when Saban first took over Alabama, the offensive schemes he employed were built more around power running and defensive dominance than creating a high-flying passing attack. Saban’s early years at Alabama were marked by a reliance on defense and special teams to win games, with quarterbacks often playing a more complementary role. While this style of football led to championships, it also left a void when it came to developing quarterbacks who could carry the team through games with an elite passing attack.
For Alabama fans, Saban’s regret can be hard to swallow because it suggests that their program might have missed out on even greater success, particularly in an era where quarterbacks are more crucial than ever. With the SEC and college football evolving into a more pass-heavy game, the regret over not investing more time and resources into quarterback development seems like a missed opportunity for one of the sport’s greatest minds.
The Impact on Alabama Football
The quarterback position has always been a crucial piece to a championship-winning team, and Saban’s regret over not fully committing to it early in his tenure has had lasting effects. Despite this, Saban’s ability to adapt and evolve has allowed Alabama to remain at the top of college football.
One of the most notable examples of Saban’s evolution in handling the quarterback position came in 2017, when Jalen Hurts led Alabama to the national championship game, only for Tua Tagovailoa to replace him in the second half and lead the Tide to a dramatic win over Georgia. The decision to turn to Tagovailoa in the second half of that game marked a sea change for Alabama’s offensive philosophy. From that point on, Alabama shifted its focus to developing quarterbacks who could run an up-tempo, pass-heavy offense, a significant departure from the grind-it-out, power football style that had defined much of Saban’s earlier success.
In many ways, Saban’s regret over the quarterback position led to the necessary changes that ultimately helped Alabama thrive in the modern landscape of college football. However, it’s worth noting that it took Saban several years to truly embrace the idea of a quarterback-driven offense. The evolution of the quarterback position within Saban’s system has led to the development of stars like Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young, all of whom played pivotal roles in Alabama’s recent success.
Saban’s Legacy Moving Forward
Despite his regret, Saban’s legacy as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time remains untarnished. He has adapted to the changing landscape of college football, and his success speaks for itself. However, as he continues to evolve, Saban’s recognition of his past regrets only strengthens his ability to lead the Alabama football program into the future.
While his greatest regret may be difficult for Alabama fans to hear, it speaks to Saban’s commitment to continuous improvement and perfection. Even as a coach who has won multiple national championships and has reshaped the college football world, Saban is not afraid to acknowledge areas where he could have done better.
Alabama fans may not like the idea that their legendary coach has a regret, but they can take solace in the fact that Saban’s ability to learn from past mistakes has been one of the driving forces behind Alabama’s sustained success. As long as Saban remains at the helm, it’s likely that his willingness to reflect on and adjust his approach will continue to ensure Alabama’s place at the top of the college football world.