Alabama's Vanderbilt loss no longer "personal" for Nick Saban's daughter Kristen, shares her bedtime reaction via IG post

Alabama's defeat against Vanderbilt no longer felt personal for Kristen Saban, daughter of the legendary coach Nick Saban. The Vanderbilt Commodores shocked the college football world with a thrilling 40-35 win over No. 1 Alabama at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday.

This marked Vanderbilt’s first victory over Alabama since 1984 and a major milestone for head coach Clark Lea in his fourth season.

The game brought a surprising twist off the field too, as Nick Saban’s daughter, Kristen, took to Instagram to share her reaction. In a laid-back post, she wrote:

“Me going to bed tonight knowing I don’t have to take these games personally anymore.”

Screenshot, via Instagram

Vanderbilt hadn’t even come close to beating Alabama in recent years. In the four matchups under Nick Saban, the Commodores managed just 13 points combined.

But Saturday was different. Vanderbilt’s offense kept Alabama’s defense on its heels all night, racking up 418 total yards. Crucially, the Commodores controlled the clock and outpaced Alabama on key third downs, sealing the game with a series of clutch first downs in the final drive.

The upset win was a signature moment for Vanderbilt and a thrilling chapter in their football journey.

Nick Saban’s daughter, Kristen, shared a heartwarming moment

Nick Saban made an appearance on the "College GameDay" panel in Week 6, live from Berkeley, California. Kristen shared a heartwarming moment that captured the family’s love for football. She posted a picture of her son, James Nick Setas, watching the show and captioned it,

“On Saturdays, we watch PaPaw.”

Saban, who led the Crimson Tide from 2007 to 2023, winning six national titles, took on the "College GameDay" role after retiring in January. Interestingly, Kristen didn't hear about his retirement from her father or family but through a text from a friend while she was on a flight.

She shared this story on The Next Round, mentioning that her friend, who works for the Tuscaloosa News, asked her to confirm Chris Low’s tweet about her father’s retirement.

“I pulled up Instagram, and first article I saw was ‘retiring,’” Kristen said.

While Nick Saban may have stepped down as head coach, his connection to Alabama remains strong. Athletic Director Greg Byrne announced Saban’s new role as an advisor, starting March 1, transitioning from coach to "professional."