Some people took notice of the pictures taken in Nick Saban’s new office.
Two five-star in-state recruits stood with the retiring Alabama football coach in front of his mantle during the last weekend of official visits in June.
That, of course, lit up the college football internet. Does Saban continue to recruit for Alabama? Could he be the secret weapon responsible for the current recruiting success of the Crimson Tide?
According to a colleague of Saban’s on ESPN College GameDay, Not so quickly, buddy.
AL.com spoke with a number of individuals who are aware of Alabama’s behind-the-scenes recruiting process as well as Saban’s life beyond coaching. They all agreed that Saban’s participation in the most recent official visit weekend was an isolated incident rather than a recurring one.
That weekend at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saban hosted three in-state recruits in his office. These players were all five-star prospects: Tank Jones (Mobile), Cederian Morgan (Alexander City), and Ezavier Crowell (Jackson). On a weekend when Saban happened to be in town, three local boys experienced something unique, according to several accounts. It was more akin to the visits Saban used to have with recruits from other UA programs while he was still coaching. For instance, his office receiving a basketball recruit. Several sources refuted the idea that Saban would be an ace or closer for Alabama football once he retired.
According to some sources, Saban had no further participation in recruiting after those three sessions in his office. Given that Saban is still paid roughly $500,000 a year, that is consistent with his strategy for remaining involved in the program after retirement. He isn’t hovering, but he can be available.
Saban no longer frequently strolls around the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility’s hallways. According to some people, he has actually mostly avoided the football building since he retired. His new office is located in another area of campus, within Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Numerous sources claim that Saban didn’t spend much time in the state in June. He was more likely to be found at Lake Burton in Georgia or at his house in Jupiter, Florida. In particular, on the golf field. Other activities, like his commercial efforts and his duties with ESPN, keep Saban very busy.
However, he consented to meet with the three recruits while he was in town on the last weekend.
DeBoer, a few employees, and a few players traveled briefly to Tupelo, Mississippi, that same weekend to attend the funeral of Kierston Russell, the twin sister of rookie quarterback Keelon Russell. But that weekend, DeBoer still met with every recruit. Saban wasn’t DeBoer’s replacement. The hectic recruiting weekend schedule made time for those athletes to meet with Saban, who was available and in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama has so far obtained 19 commitments for the class of 2026. Only two of those 19 commits met with Saban. The third recruit Saban met, Jones, has not yet made a commitment.
Although Saban hasn’t been actively involved in recruiting, there is a difference between visiting with three recruits over the course of a June weekend and fully resuming the recruiting process.
Saban continued to participate in the daily rigors of recruiting after he retired.
For better or worse, DeBoer, general manager Courtney Morgan, director of player personnel Bob Welton, assistant coaches, and staff will be responsible for the success of Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class. Not Saban.
His mother, Jay Clay, posted on social media, “Let me make this clear for (five-star commit Xavier Griffen’s) recruitment when it comes to Alabama.” Hearing that Kalen DeBoer is unable to recruit is frustrating because our coach and his team performed admirably! Although I did meet Saban once, he never made an offer or spoke to us. Christian Robinson, the coach of the outside linebackers, was and still is the best in getting my son to attend Bama! I’m excited and I love our staff! Turn the tide.
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Nick Kelly writes about Alabama news for the Alabama Media Group and AL.com.Keep up with him on Instagram and Xand.
