Jones: Reliable source said Saban would step down if he won national championship

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Nick Saban won his seventh national title Monday night, leading No. 1 Alabama (13-0) to a dominant 52-24 win over Ohio State (7-1).

Saban, 69, won a national title at LSU in 2003 and has won six national titles at Alabama – all since 2009.

But Monday may have been his last.

“I was hearing rumors that he might resign after winning another championship,” Brian Jones said on The DA Show. “It still may happen. Who knows? But I think he looks great, his coaching hasn’t fallen off, and no matter how much turnover there is on that staff, the mainstay is him and his philosophy and everyone jumps on board and they master his approach."

Saban won national titles for the Tide in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020. He passed Bear Bryant on Monday for most national titles won.

"Saban, he’s the master," Jones said. "He’s the best I’ve ever seen. Of course I grew up watching Bear Bryant at the end of his career, but Saban, he’s the greatest of all time in my opinion.”

But would Saban really retire now? Would he actually walk away still seemingly in his prime?

“I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but that’s what was told to me personally – yes, that he may step down,” Jones said. “The dude has done all you can do, he’s won more championships than anyone, he’s made a hell of a lot of money – and he’s making even more off the field. So, yes, that’s what I was told – and I was told that by the same guy that told me Sark [Steve Sarkisian] was going to be my next coach at Texas.”

Jones would not be shocked if Saban stepped down.

“I don’t know what the percentages are that he would,” Jones said. “I’m telling you as it was conveyed to me: if he wins another championship, there’s a possibility he may say, ‘Okay, enough is enough. [I’m going to] hang out in this business world.’ It wouldn’t shock me.”