There are 18 active FBS head coaches that spent time on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, including the two leading their teams in the College Football Playoff National Championship

All four remaining CFP teams are led by former Nick Saban assistants at Alabama. They all learned how to run a program under the coaching legend.

Nick Saban had a chance to weigh in on the state of Alabama football after 2025 on Wednesday on the Pat McAfee Show. McAfee questioned whether Alabama should have hired a Saban disciple to replace him considering all four coaches left in the playoff once worked for Saban at Alabama.

Legendary college football coach Nick Saban delivers a strong message about Kalen DeBoer and Alabama after their CFP loss.

The Houston Texans secured their first road playoff win in franchise history, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6.

Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti was Alabama’s wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator from 2007-10. He helped the Crimson Tide to the 2009 national championship, its first of six under Saban.

Saban was the Alabama head coach the last time the program appeared in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024. A 27-20 loss to Michigan in overtime proved to be the final game of his legendary coaching career. He never crossed paths with Indiana during his Alabama tenure; the two programs' meeting on Thursday will be the first one ever.

Retired Alabama coach Nick Saban praised Kalen DeBoer's work with his former program after the Crimson Tide's season ended with a 38-3 Rose Bowl loss to Indiana.

Miami got into the CFP and hasn't looked back since. After beating Texas A&M on the road in a defensive slog, they upset the reigning champions, Ohio State, before eliminating the final SEC team in the tournament on Thursday in Ole Miss.