The biggest story of the college football offseason was Nick Saban’s retirement announcement after leading Alabama to the College Football Playoff.
Many individuals have hypothesized about the elements that influenced Saban’s choice to leave college football. Saban dismissed allegations regarding his discontent with the current situation involving the transfer portal and NIL.
During an appearance on Robert Griffin III’s podcast, former Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry explained Saban’s choice and potential contributing factors.
“Yeah, I definitely do,” McKinstry said about NIL impacting Saban. “I was the last class that really, he didn’t have to worry about asking for money and stuff like that coming out of high school. People worry about the wrong thing. They worry about money like he always looked at it like, you’re going to get money when you get to the league.
“I’m just here to help you be a better man, help you be a better player, help you make all the money that you want to make in the league. Yeah, there’s money here, but this ain’t the money that’s going to help you take care of your family and change your generational wealth. Coach Saban just always wanted the best for us as a player and person.”
McKinstry finished his three seasons at Alabama with 92 total tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and 25 pass breakups. He received All-American accolades in consecutive seasons and finished his career as a three-time All-SEC pick.
Saban won seven national championships in his 28-year career, six of which came with the Crimson Tide. He won almost 200 games and 12 conference championships and was voted SEC Coach of the Year five times throughout his career. He has also won the AP College Football Coach of the Year and the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year awards twice.
McKinstry will wait to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft, as many experts believe the former Alabama cornerback will be taken in the first round.
