7X national champ Nick Saban once shared inspiring story of digging gold & never giving up

Nick Saban is known as the legendary coach who led the Alabama Crimson Tide to six national championships in his 17-year tenure as the school's football coach. His coaching methods are often cherished for their success on the field and the invaluable life lessons he inspired his players with. Saban won one national title with LSU.

During a football camp in June 2013, Saban shared a story his parents used to tell him—one that perfectly describes perseverance and mental toughness.

"You know, my parents used to always tell me a story about a guy that was digging for gold—dug for two years in the mine with a pick and a shovel," Saban said. "Finally, he got frustrated, quit, and gave his gold mine away to someone else. The next guy came in, dug two more feet, and struck it rich." [08:55]

If it came from Nick Saban, it wasn’t just about digging for gold. The Alabama Sports Hall of Famer wanted to draw the attention of young talents to the unseen effort that often pays off just when things seem hardest.

Saban used the metaphor to inspire athletes, emphasizing that success often lies just beyond the point of frustration.

“We’re going to finish what we do regardless of the circumstances. ... I'm going to finish the best I can, and it takes no ability to do that,” Saban said. [09:33]

Saban has transformed Alabama into a dynasty, claiming six national titles, countless SEC championships and producing numerous NFL stars. His teachings about mental toughness have been a core aspect of his coaching philosophy, which has shaped his players on the field and prepared them for life after football.

Nick Saban's Updated Lifestyle Post-Alabama Follows Same Values

The seven-time national championship-winning coach may have stepped away from the grind of college football, but his core values remain unchanged. While adjusting to life post-retirement, Saban reflected on his coaching career in an appearance on "The Next Round" podcast.

“What I realized is for 50 years, I didn’t even know I was in a hurry. It was just a way of life. So that has been a little different,” Saban said.

His laser-sharp focus, which brought Alabama to the forefront of football, has now given way to a slower, more relaxed lifestyle. But even with the change of pace, Saban hasn’t lost his desire to make an impact.

Though he has stepped into football media now, working as an analyst on ESPN's "College GamedDay," his influence in the world of football remains the same, just in a different color.