Even Nick Saban’s daughter was surprised by retirement announcement

Sep 11, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

If you were caught off guard by Nick Saban’s retirement announcement on Wednesday, you weren’t alone. Even Saban’s daughter Kristen didn’t 100 percent know it was coming.

Kristen Saban Setas held a question-and-answer session on her Instagram account Sunday and shared some very personal answers.

One of the first questions she answered was whether she knew her dad was retiring. Saban Setas said she was given a heads up that it was a possibility, but she didn’t even know it was a certainty.

“That morning, my mom let me know that it was being heavily considered but wasn’t 100% sure. 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. I found out on my flight to Florida,” Saban Setas answered.

Nick Saban’s daughter shares how she learned of her dad’s retirement and thought process. Via instagram. pic.twitter.com/9k5CfosAbx

— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) January 14, 2024

That’s an interesting answer. Did Saban really take a few hours on Wednesday to fully make his decision? Or were the Sabans being so careful to avoid leaks that they wouldn’t even 100 percent confirm things with their daughter.

It seems like Saban knew for certain because they had statements prepared that were released later in the day. Not only that, but the Crimson Tide had hired a replacement head coach within days. In other words, the whole thing felt very well organized for something that was kept so well under wraps.