What Nick Saban's Retirement Means for Texas A&M Football

How Nick Saban's Retirement Is An Opportunity for Texas A&M Football

Huge news today in division for Texas A&M football, as the greatest college football coach of all time is reportedly hanging it up. Chris Low of ESPN is reporting that Nick Saban, head coach at Alabama since the 2007 season, is retiring as head coach of the Crimson Tide.

Of course, WDE280 on AuburnLive was apparently first to the scoop. As we all predicted.

Saban's retirement had been long speculated about by fans of college football, such that it was almost a completely worn out talking point. It seemed an annual tradition that whispers would emerge, speculating that this may be the time that Saban chose to call it quits.

The Crimson Tide won their last national title in 2020, though they played for one in 2021. Losing in the national semifinal this year meant that this would be the first time that Alabama under Saban went three years in a row without a national title, which may just be the most mind-boggling statistic ever.

Saban grew Alabama into the preeminent program in the entire sport. Under him, the Tide racked up an insane run not only on the field, but on the recruiting trail, putting together an unprecedented streak of composite #1 overall classes.

Nick Saban's Retirement: Impact on Texas A&M Football

This is nothing short of a huge inflection point for the future of Texas A&M football. Alabama and Georgia had been the two programs at the top of the SEC for the past couple of years, and the space has now been vacated for another challenger to rise up against the Bulldogs. With the Longhorns and Sooners entering the conference next year, it is imperative that the Aggies assert themselves quickly.

Mike Elko, even in his brief time as the head man for Texas A&M football, has been doing just that. With the additions the Aggies have been bringing in on the defensive side, to reinforce the roster after the number of departures, the Maroon and White are looking exceptionally well-positioned to take advantage of this upcoming year.

Now, the Aggies didn't have Alabama on the schedule for this upcoming year. Regardless, though, if they were to rise to the heights they are hoping for in 2024, they would have likely had to go through the Tide to do so. A regression for Alabama seems inevitable, as does a significant number of departures via the portal. This is an opportunity for the Aggies not only on the field, but to make some big time adds in the transfer ranks. It should be noted that Texas A&M recently hired one of the top coaches on staff for the Tide, WR coach Holmon Wiggins.

We will continue to recover not only this story, but everything it means for Texas A&M football as things continue to unfold.