For nearly two decades, Nick Saban’s name has been synonymous with college football excellence. His Alabama dynasty has reshaped what it means to dominate the sport, producing countless championships, Heisman winners, and NFL stars. Yet, as Saban’s career stretches into its later stages, the 72-year-old coach finds himself in an unusual position — not as the undisputed leader of the pack, but rather, adapting to a changing landscape of college football and learning from the very trends he once set.
Saban’s credentials speak for themselves: seven national championships (six with Alabama and one with LSU), over a decade of top-ranked recruiting classes, and a seemingly endless list of players who went on to star in the NFL. Saban’s meticulous approach to defense, insistence on discipline, and “process-driven” philosophy turned Alabama into a powerhouse program that other teams aspired to emulate. From setting up a player development structure rivaling NFL franchises to refining defensive strategies that would become gold standards, Saban’s influence on college football has been nothing short of transformative.
During his reign, Saban defined the SEC — and college football at large. He pioneered a no-nonsense, “business-first” approach that elevated the culture of Alabama football to one of unparalleled efficiency and success. Yet, the game that he so thoroughly shaped has evolved, and Saban finds himself adapting to these seismic shifts.
College football has always been an evolving game, but recent years have brought changes that seem almost seismic compared to Saban’s foundational principles. The proliferation of high-powered offenses, new transfer rules, and the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals have changed how programs recruit, retain, and motivate players. The run-heavy, defensively-minded SEC has evolved into a league where up-tempo offenses and high-scoring games are the new norm. And for Saban, a coach who once dismissed high-powered offenses as “basketball on grass,” adjusting to this new reality has required learning — and sometimes relearning — his craft.
One of the biggest changes Saban had to embrace was the offensive shift. Once a champion of power football and stifling defense, he adjusted Alabama’s playbook, allowing for more spread concepts, dual-threat quarterbacks, and explosive, pass-heavy systems that counter the changing SEC landscape. Hiring Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator in 2014 marked the beginning of this transition, bringing fresh tactics and a willingness to adapt Alabama’s traditional style
Perhaps more challenging than the evolution in offensive schemes are the impacts of the NIL and transfer portal. For decades, Saban built Alabama’s success on his ability to recruit, develop, and retain top talent. However, with players now able to transfer more freely and profit off their brand, the foundation of Saban’s process has had to shift. NIL allows players to benefit from their success in ways that don’t always align with team priorities, and the transfer portal can create an environment where players leave at the first sign of adversity — the opposite of Saban’s famed “process,” which emphasizes patience and development.
Saban has been vocal about his concerns with these changes, questioning whether they might shift players’ focus away from team goals. Yet, recognizing the inevitability of the new system, he’s adapted by leveraging NIL to keep Alabama competitive, reportedly even enlisting a new network of resources to help guide players and their families through the complexities of NIL.
In a sense, the current college football landscape is forcing Saban to be “coached” by those around him. Programs like Georgia, led by Saban disciple Kirby Smart, have emulated his blueprint and evolved it, outpacing Alabama in recent years. Smart’s Bulldogs adopted the Alabama model but added their own nuances, managing to capture back-to-back national championships and become a leader in high-stakes recruiting battles. Seeing former assistants like Smart build on his principles and excel has likely added an element of introspection for Saban.
Then there’s the new generation of young, innovative coaches like Lincoln Riley, who have pushed offensive creativity to new heights, showing that dynamic offenses can thrive at the highest level. Watching these coaches succeed has forced Saban to expand his own approach, blending the old-school fundamentals he values with new-school thinking to keep Alabama competitive.
Saban remains committed to adapting, and if his past is any indication, he will do whatever it takes to keep Alabama in championship contention. The 2023 season has shown signs of Saban’s continued evolution, with Alabama embracing a young, versatile quarterback and an offense that melds his conservative principles with explosive playmaking potential. But even as he learns from the new era, the question remains: how long can he maintain this balancing act?
As he approaches the twilight of his career, Saban’s role in college football feels as influential as ever, not just in wins and championships but in his willingness to learn and grow. He has taught the sport how to build dynasties, but now he is learning from the very systems he helped inspire. While many believe that Saban will eventually go out on top, it’s clear that he is willing to be both a teacher and a student in this latter stage of his career.
For college football fans, watching the greatest coach of all time adapt, evolve, and, in some cases, get “coached” by his own past disciples and adversaries is fascinating. In an era defined by rapid change, Saban’s resilience and willingness to adapt exemplify what made him a legend in the first place. And whether or not he captures another national title, Nick Saban’s legacy is secure — as both the sport’s master and, perhaps, its most dedicated lifelong learner.