It's the year of Nick Saban, even though he's no longer coaching.
The retired former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach continues to make headlines while he serves as an analyst for ESPN. From an iconic ESPYs acceptance speech to a high-paying advisor role at Alabama, Saban is enjoying life as a retired coach.
One of his former assistants made sure to heap some praise on Saban at Big Ten Media Days. Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley took some time to shout out Saban for his guidance and mentorship before taking the head coaching job with the Big Ten Program.
Maryland coach Mike Locksley thanks Nick Saban from the podium at Big Ten Media Days. "I wouldn't be here at the Maryland coach if not for the three years I spent under his tutelage."
— Bill Bender (@BillBender92) July 25, 2024
"I wouldn't be here at the Maryland coach if not for the three years I spent under his tutelage," Locksley said.
Locksley started on Saban's staff at Alabama as an offensive analyst during the 2016 season. He worked with the Crimson Tide for three years, eventually climbing up to an offensive coordinator role in 2019. He even received the Broyles Award in 2018 as the nation's top assistant coach during his time under Saban.
That experience allowed Locksley to become a head coach once again for Maryland. The Terrapins have gradually turned into a solid Big Ten program, going 23-16 over the last three seasons with three straight bowl wins.
Locksley has over 30 years of coaching experience. However, it seems that his success as Maryland's head coach wouldn't have been possible without those few seasons with Saban at Alabama.
