news-engine

Nick Saban is widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches in the history of college football. He is most famously known for coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, where he earned most of his success and fame. He currently works as an ESPN analyst and covers college football. Before his huge success with Alabama, Saban also had a turbulent time once, and recently opened up about it. Nick Saban admits being fired during early coaching career Saban made his reputation with Alabama, but he had an early failure in his early coaching career. He recently appeared on the August 21, 2026, episode of The Pat McAfee Show, where McAfee introduced him and then asked him whether he “ever got fired?” Saban admitted that he was let go back when he served as defensive backs coach at Ohio State under head coach Earle Bruce during the 1980 and 1981 seasons. At the time, he was hired to replace Pete Carroll, who had departed for the defensive coordinator role at North Carolina State. Ohio State finished 9-3 in both of Saban’s seasons on the staff. The end came after the 1981 Liberty Bowl on December 29 in Memphis where Ohio State defeated Navy 31-28. However, the Midshipmen threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns against Saban’s secondary, despite averaging fewer than 50 passing yards per game. Bruce was already upset with the defensive performance and grew angrier when defensive coordinator Dennis Fryzel spoke with reporters afterward. Upon the staff’s return to Columbus early the next morning, Bruce summoned the coaches and dismissed the entire defensive group, including Fryzel, defensive line coach Steve Szabo, and Saban. During his conversation with McAfee, he said, “I got fired when I was a defensive backs coach at Ohio State.” but admitted it was due to his own fault, “It was my fault and I can’t blame anybody else for that.” and that he loves the program and his time spent there. Later, he would go on to become the most successful head coach in college football. The former head coach also spoke on his former team’s quarterback situation. Nick Saban speaks on Alabama’s quarterback situation Saban spoke about the Alabama’s upcoming decision on who to choose as the starter for the next season. The two choices are between quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Mack is a senior player and played under current Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington in 2023. Russell is a sophomore and is the highest-rated recruit by DeBoer. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban did not choose between the two quarterbacks. He said, “I don’t really know who the starters are going to be. I think both guys are probably pretty capable. They’re really different. Keelon Russell’s a little bit more athletic, can run it, he is a good passer though. I don’t know where his decision making and development is relative to the staff. The other guy, Mack, has a little more experience. So, I don’t know exactly where they’re at with that.” Nick Saban is one of the best head coaches in college football history, and is still popular. More College Football News: - Jerry Jones Backs Nick Saban’s True Feelings on Cowboys Rookie Caleb Downs - Tua Tagovailoa Leans on Nick Saban’s Advice After Painful Dolphins Exit Lands Him With Falcons - Nick Saban Drops Blunt Words of Wisdom to Jon Sumrall in Fiery Exchange - Nick Saban Vouches for Terrion Arnold as Judge Grants Ex-Lions CB $1 Million Bond