Nick Saban relives 2nd-and-26, from breaking headset to ‘greatest feeling of success’

Nick Saban isn’t going to forget his time as Alabama football coach anytime soon. Especially the experience he had over a short period of time on Jan. 8, 2018.

Saban was speaking at the University of Alabama Board of Trustees meeting Thursday when he brought up the national championship against Georgia from the 2017 season.

“I also had, in the game, the greatest moment of horrific ‘this could never happen’ to ‘greatest feeling of success’ when Tua (Tagovailoa) gets sacked in overtime in 2017,” Saban said. “I break the headset. I’m screaming at him. Before I could get done yelling at him for that play, we won the game.”

Tagovailoa hit DeVonta Smith for the game-winning score in overtime to give Saban his fifth national championship at Alabama.

The Crimson Tide will officially dedicate the field to Saban, who retired in January, on Saturday when No. 4 Alabama faces South Florida. Before the weekend, the board of trustees officially approved the resolution to name the playing surface at Bryant-Denny Stadium “Saban Field.”

After it was approved and the trustees took a photo with the Sabans, the retired Alabama coach spoke.

“I have some of the greatest memories of my lifetime, the 17 years being the coach at Alabama,” Saban said. “Maybe the best opportunity that anybody could ever have.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.