"I just hate it for him": Colorado HC Deion Sanders believes retirement was not meant for "OG" Nick Saban 

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is disappointed that Nick Saban chose to retire from his position of Alabama Crimson Tide's coach. Saban shocked the football world with his decision following Alabama's loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Saban retires as arguably the greatest coach in college football history as he won seven national championships, including six at Alabama.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Sanders spoke on The Joel Klatt Show and discussed Saban's decision to call it a day.

"He kept it above. He gave it 100. And I know how he got to the point. You know, you hear the stories. But you know the truth when you hear the truth. And I knew the truth. I just hate it for him because I felt as though he had so much more left. But I understand when it's not in you to do it that way," Sanders said.

"And you want to do it this way. And shoot it was like Darren is like, 'Man, we lost the OG, we lost cheat', like he is, he means so much to me personally as a man and just watching him from a near and far and being able to have access to pick up the phone and call him whenever I would meet him and I didn't abuse that situation whatsoever. I hate that we lost him for college football's sake," Sanders added.

Saban retiring is no doubt bad for college football, as he is an iconic figure in the sport. But, he is 72 years old and has been a head coach since 1990. He fully deserves a rest.

Deion Sanders entering his second season at Colorado

Deion Sanders is set for his second year as head coach of Colorado

Deion Sanders was the talk of college football last season as he was hired to be the coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.

The Buffaloes started the year going 3-0 with upset wins over TCU and Nebraska, but ended up going 1-8 in their final nine games to finish 4-8.

It was a lackluster end to the season, but entering 2024, Sanders and Colorado both have high expectations for the season.

The Buffaloes are back in the Big 12 and have notable games against Nebraska, Baylor, Arizona, Utah, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, among others.