Former Alabama Head coach Nick Saban appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday and was asked about his former and current assistant Indiana Head coach Curt Cignetti. Specifically, Saban was asked about Cignetti’s age and what it’s like connecting with players when you’re much older than them.

Saban revealed that it wasn’t a challenge for him to connect with players late in his career. However, he acknowledged that being a college football player hasn’t always been easy in recent years.

“Personally, I was 72 years old the last year I coached. I had no problem dealing with players and I think if you asked the players they would say the same thing,” Nick Saban said. “But it’s changed a lot over the years because players have actually changed in terms of their commitment and their purpose, so why do they go to college and what do they want to accomplish?

“So you had to kind of adapt your program and the way you handle it.”

Nick Saban added that convincing players to be part of a team has been difficult in recent years.

“When I first started coaching, if you told a guy to do something just because you said so, he would run through the wall for you. Well, that’s not the case anymore,” Saban said. “You have to somehow show these guys where it benefits them. … You had to show them where it would create value for them, and even if you’re part of a team, how that would create value for the future. So you have to be able to adapt.”

Ultimately, Saban made the decision to retire after the 2023 season. There were several factors that led him to decide it was time to move on, and he’s glad he did.

“You know, I did it for 50 years. And I just thought last year was a really tough year for me,” Saban revealed. “And I say, ‘How many precious years do you have left and how do you want to spend them?’ And you know, me and Miss Terry get up every day and drink our coffee and we’re happy now, so I’m good.”