Current:Home > FinanceNick Saban's daughter Kristen Saban Setas reflects on his retirement as Alabama coach -ProgressCapital
Nick Saban's daughter Kristen Saban Setas reflects on his retirement as Alabama coach
View
Date:2025-04-16 05:14:55
Nick Saban's retirement shook the college football world, and his daughter said the coach's decision to step down as the head coach of Alabama football is "bittersweet."
Kristen Saban Setas had some free time on Sunday and invited fans to an Ask Me Anything on her Instagram page. She answered a couple dozen questions via Instagram stories about the process behind her father's big announcement, her favorite memories at Bryant-Denny Stadium and more.
Saban announced his retirement on Wednesday evening. Setas, who has a brother named Nicholas, gave fans an insight into what her father's thought process was like that day. She said that she found out he officially made the decision "on my flight to Florida."
"That morning, my mom let me know that it was being heavily considered but wasn't 100% sure," she said. "I don't think my dad was completely set on it until he gave himself a few hours to make a decision and he made it."
Setas also said that her mother and Nick's wife, Terry, does not have dementia as has been rumored. Saban said earlier that neither he nor Terry were suffering from an illness that led to his decision to leave coaching.
"I don't know where this even came from but it's absurd," Setas said. "Everyone in the family is in good health. Don't believe everything you read."
Saban left after more than 50 years coaching football and leading Alabama to six national championships. This year, the Crimson Tide went 12-2, losing to Texas in their second game of the season and dealing with injuries throughout their campaign. Alabama made it to the College Football Playoff where they lost to eventual champion Michigan in the semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
"I had a weird sense of relief that we were not moving forward," Setas said. "The last season was one I will never forget for all the adversity the team faced and conquered, but like all others it had its hardships. I think a lot of us were starting to feel run-down and stressed, at least I know I was feeling that way. I kind of felt an end coming but didn't know when. All I know is I felt exhausted."
The Saban family moved to Tuscaloosa when Saban was named head coach of Alabama's football team in 2007. Setas, who attended the university as a student, said that she and her family are not planning on moving, noting that her son is in school and that Alabama is "home." She also said that she hasn't met new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer and his family, but offered to "have a girl chat about all things Bama" with his two daughters.
She said that she's "almost certain" Saban will write another book, and the family is looking forward to quality time together.
"For my whole life I've shared him with the world," she said. "Now, I can finally just have him be 'Dad.'"
Setas acknowledged she will have to do some "soul searching" now that her life won't revolve around college football. When asked about what she's going to miss about Saban's coaching, Setas said, "Literally everything."
"The fast-paced lifestyle, the ups and downs of games, the energy from fans, the adrenaline of game day, seeing records and history being made, seeing him do the thing he loved the most," she said. "Everything."
veryGood! (4919)
Related
- Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
- Open Up the 2004 Emmys Time Capsule With These Celeb Photos
- Privacy audit: Check permissions, lock your phone and keep snoops out
- MLB playoffs: Does 'hot team' reign supreme or will favorites get their mojo back?
- IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
- Emmys 2024: Slow Horses' Will Smith Clarifies He's Not the Will Smith You Think He Is
- Florida State's latest meltdown leads college football's Week 3 winners and losers
- Profiles in clean energy: She founded a business to keep EV charging stations up and running
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- In Honduras, Libertarians and Legal Claims Threaten to Bankrupt a Nation
Ranking
- Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
- 'The Life of Chuck' wins Toronto Film Festival audience award. Is Oscar next?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Breakup Song
- 'Miss our families': Astronauts left behind by Starliner share updates from the ISS
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Americans end drought, capture 2024 Solheim Cup for first win in 7 years
- NFL schedule today: Everything to know about Week 2 games on Sunday
- 'Far too brief': Ballerina Michaela DePrince, who danced for Beyoncé, dies at age 29
Recommendation
Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
Canelo Alvarez wins unanimous decision in dominating title defense against Edgar Berlanga
How Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd Became the Star of the 2024 Emmys
2024 Emmys: Why Fans Aren't Happy With Jimmy Kimmel's Bob Newhart In Memoriam Tribute
Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
Texas QB Quinn Ewers exits with injury. Arch Manning steps in against Texas-San Antonio
Mike Lindell's company MyPillow sued by DHL over $800,000 in allegedly unpaid bills
2024 Emmys: Jennifer Aniston, Brie Larson, Selena Gomez and More Best Dressed Stars on the Red Carpet