Nick Saban Expects “Big Improvement” from Alabama: Tide Legend Still Watching Closely

Even in retirement, Nick Saban’s voice still carries weight in Tuscaloosa—and across the entire college football landscape. The legendary former Alabama head coach, whose impact on the Crimson Tide program is impossible to overstate, may be sitting in a broadcast studio these days instead of a film room, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped paying attention. And if you thought he’d quietly fade into the background, think again.

Saban made headlines again this week when he said he anticipates a “big improvement” from Alabama this season under head coach Kalen DeBoer. And just like that, ears perked up across the SEC. When Nick Saban talks Alabama football, people listen. Because if anyone knows what “improvement” looks like in Tuscaloosa, it’s him.

Let’s be honest: Alabama’s 2024 season wasn’t a disaster, but it didn’t live up to the gold standard Saban had built over 17 seasons. There were flashes of brilliance—knocking off Georgia in a gritty showdown, solid defensive moments, breakout stars emerging—but there were also uncharacteristic breakdowns. A shocking loss to Vanderbilt and a second-half collapse against Tennessee sparked doubt. Some fans questioned the new coaching staff’s toughness, others worried the dynasty was dead.

But Saban, who’s never been one for hyperbole or false hope, didn’t echo those doomsday headlines. Instead, he looked at the current Alabama roster, the leadership structure, and the coaching adjustments heading into 2025—and he saw something else entirely: growth.

Saban’s statement wasn’t flashy, but it was meaningful. “I think you’re going to see a big improvement,” he said. That’s not a prediction thrown out for headlines—it’s an observation from a man who built this empire brick by brick and knows what foundation it still rests on.

So what does “big improvement” mean from the perspective of the man who once demanded perfection? It’s not just about adding a few wins or correcting mistakes—it’s about identity. Alabama under Saban was never just successful; it was dominant, disciplined, and ruthless. The 2024 team didn’t quite have that edge consistently. The 2025 squad has the chance to rediscover it.

One of the biggest factors contributing to Saban’s optimism is continuity. Kalen DeBoer now has a full year under his belt in Tuscaloosa. The transition from one of the most iconic coaches in sports history to a new voice in the locker room was always going to be bumpy. But with that first season behind them, there’s a clearer vision. DeBoer knows his personnel better. Players understand the system. There’s been time to recalibrate and reset expectations. That matters.

Saban, more than anyone, knows how difficult that Year One transition can be. He’s seen it across the country and experienced it firsthand when he took over struggling programs early in his career. What separates good programs from great ones is the ability to adapt without panicking. The signs in Tuscaloosa point toward exactly that.

Another reason for optimism? Talent—plain and simple. Alabama still has it. The roster remains loaded with blue-chip recruits and future NFL stars. From Jalen Milroe at quarterback to an emerging group of receivers, to a young but aggressive defensive unit, the pieces are in place. The team doesn’t lack ability—it just needed to mature. Saban’s comment suggests that’s exactly what’s happening.

Milroe, in particular, has grown significantly. While 2024 saw him struggle with consistency, his leadership never wavered. Now, with another offseason of work, a full grasp of the offense, and deeper chemistry with his playmakers, Milroe looks poised for a breakout year that could rival some of the best in Alabama history. Saban, who has always valued quarterback leadership as the heartbeat of his teams, surely sees that evolution as a cornerstone for the upcoming season’s success.

On the defensive side, Alabama has quietly retooled and reenergized. Under a new defensive coordinator who brings both fire and flexibility, the unit looks faster, more physical, and more locked in than it did a year ago. Young players like Caleb Downs and Qua Russaw have stepped into larger roles, and veterans are playing with urgency. Alabama defenses under Saban were built on eliminating mistakes and punishing indecision. The 2025 version may not carry his direct fingerprints, but it’s being shaped by players who grew up in his culture. The standard hasn’t vanished—it’s just taken a new form.

Then there’s the matter of toughness—physical and mental. In 2024, some critics, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, called the Crimson Tide “softer” than in previous years. That stung. But the response from the locker room and coaching staff heading into 2025 has been clear: never again. The offseason strength program, led by a revamped performance staff, has focused heavily on conditioning and finishing—on building a team that doesn’t just compete, but controls.

Saban has watched all this unfold from a new vantage point. He’s no longer the one barking on the sidelines or game-planning late into the night. But make no mistake—he’s still a mentor, a resource, and a watchful guardian of the program he built. His words carry more than nostalgia. When he says “big improvement,” it comes with a level of credibility few can match.

That’s part of what makes his presence in retirement so fascinating. Saban hasn’t vanished—he’s transitioned. His role may have changed, but his influence hasn’t. And when he speaks about Alabama, it’s never just casual commentary. It’s layered with knowledge, insight, and a deep understanding of what makes the machine run.

Of course, fans will interpret “big improvement” in different ways. For some, anything short of a national title will feel like coming up short. Others are looking for signs of identity: Are we still feared? Do we still dictate tempo? Do we still represent the brand Saban made famous? The truth probably lies somewhere in between. Alabama doesn’t need to win every game 49–0 to prove it’s back—they just need to show they’ve regained their edge.

DeBoer, for his part, has handled the scrutiny with class. He hasn’t tried to be Saban—because no one can be. Instead, he’s brought his own voice, his own schemes, and his own approach. But he’s smart enough to understand the gravity of the program he inherited. You don’t erase a legacy like Saban’s; you honor it by evolving the right way. That means building on the discipline, the process, the relentless standard—and then adding your own touch.

Saban clearly sees that happening. He’s not handing out praise just to be nice. He’s never operated that way. If he says Alabama is improving, it’s because the habits are changing. The leadership is sharpening. The roster is responding. The mindset is shifting back to what made the Tide elite.

For Alabama fans, Saban’s words should serve as both reassurance and motivation. The program may be in a new chapter, but the DNA hasn’t changed. Excellence is still the goal. The players wearing that jersey still carry the weight of expectations built by the man who once roamed the sideline in his signature straw hat.

The 2025 season will be a defining one—not just for DeBoer, but for the entire identity of post-Saban Alabama. The schedule is tough. The spotlight is bright. But the foundation is solid, and if Saban’s instincts are right—and they usually are—then the Crimson Tide may be on the verge of reminding everyone that this dynasty isn’t dead. It’s just evolving.

So when Saban says “big improvement,” he’s not handing out a prediction. He’s issuing a warning.

The standard is still the standard. And Alabama, it seems, is getting back to it.