Why did Nick Saban retire? Drew DeArmond names former Tennessee coach as prime reason

Nick Saban announced his retirement in January after 17 years as Alabama’s head coach. His coaching career across the collegiate and professional landscape spanned over four decades with significant achievements.

The changes in the college football landscape concerning the transfer portal and NIL reportedly triggered Saban to retire from coaching. However, college football insider Drew DeArmond claims that the suspension of former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt by the NCAA played a crucial role.

On the “Off the Hook Sports” podcast, DeArmond disclosed that the inability of Saban to hire Pruitt played a big part in his decision to retire from coaching.

"I think a big part of it (Saban's decision to retire), too, was that Jeremy Pruitt, after his issues with the NCAA, is not coaching right now at the college level," DeArmond said. "He's at the high school level at Plainview High School back in his hometown in Alabama.”

“Coach Saban couldn't get Pruitt back. Pruitt and Kirby Smart were the two best he ever had to do it (as defensive coordinators). And Coach Saban spent a lot of time the year before trying to get Pruitt back because they thought he (Pruitt) would be cleared potentially.”

Jeremy Pruitt's hiring could have kept Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa, per Drew DeArmond

Had Nick Saban been successful in his bid to hire Jeremy Pruitt, Drew DeArmond believes he would have stayed at Alabama.

"They (Saban and Pruitt) had a very good relationship, a very close relationship," DeArmond said. "And I still believe if he could've brought in Pruitt, and hadn't had to take on as much of a heavy load defensively, I still think there's a chance he might stay.”

“I think Coach Saban wanted to go back to what he's familiar with -- that's Jeremy Pruitt -- and he couldn't get it. I think it was the first domino in what kind of led to him retiring.”

Under Saban, Pruitt was the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach from 2016 to 2017 before accepting Tennessee’s head coaching role. He is currently under a six-year show-cause order for recruiting violations.