Nick Saban says Tennessee was biggest rival while coaching at Alabama

Head coach Nick Saban (L) of the Alabama Crimson Tide shakes hands with head coach Lane Kiffin (R) of the Tennessee Volunteers after the Crimson Tide’s 12-10 win at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Nick Saban retired from coaching on Jan. 10. He served as Alabama’s head coach from 2007-23, compiling a 201-29 (117-18 SEC) record, winning six national championships and nine Southeastern Conference titles.

Saban went 16-1 against Tennessee as the Crimson Tide’s head coach. His only loss was in 2022 at Neyland Stadium.

Since his retirement, Saban has joined ESPN’s “College GameDay.” Ahead of the Tennessee-Alabama game on Saturday, Saban said his biggest rival as the Crimson Tide was the Vols.

“For our players, this was a bigger rivalry than any other game that we played,” Saban said of Alabama playing Tennessee. “I’m talking about rivalry game. Even bigger than Auburn to our players.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Alabama football series through the years

October 25, 2008; Knoxville, TN USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban (right) and Tennessee Volunteers head coach Phillip Fulmer (left) talk before the game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Nick Saban says Tennessee was biggest rival while coaching at Alabama

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-saban-says-tennessee-biggest-163551128.html

Author : Vols Wire

Publish date : 2024-10-19 16:35:51

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.