Nick Saban was reduced to a spectator Saturday during Alabama’s marquee matchup against Georgia. But he didn’t act like any of the other Crimson Tide supporters at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Alabama had a dominant first half against Georgia. The Crimson Tide pummeled their SEC rivals early, scoring the first four touchdowns to take a 28-0 lead.
But despite Alabama embarrassing Georgia early, Saban didn’t look at all excited. Fans couldn’t help but notice Saban looking downright bored when the ESPN broadcast showed him after Alabama scored its fourth touchdown.
Nick Saban after Alabama scored to extend its lead to 27-0 against Georgia 👀 pic.twitter.com/4FlxrgzK9v
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024
Fans on X wondered what was going through Saban’s head in that moment. Was he feeling regret over his decision to retire? Was he annoyed that Jalen Milroe had never looked as good during their time together? Or perhaps Saban has just come to expect success so much that even a 28-0 lead doesn’t impress him?
The face you make when you’re technically no longer the coach for Bama, but secretly still the coach for Bama. #NickSaban #RollTide pic.twitter.com/2wl0xTP8Dz
— Mr B. (@HoeAssMrB) September 29, 2024
Nick Saban not pleased pic.twitter.com/fr0oCi1XjS
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 29, 2024
Nick Saban in the press box watching Jalen Milroe torch Georgia pic.twitter.com/GOVADJpShu
— John (@iam_johnw) September 29, 2024
The most likely explanation is that Saban has always been a coach who preaches to his team not to celebrate until the job is done. He wasn’t about to start jumping up and down, especially not until the game was over.
Despite how he looked at that time, the retired coach has at least had a few moments when he truly looked to be enjoying himself.
