NFL legend gives boomer explanation why Nick Saban won't return to coaching

Brett Favre understands better than most how difficult it can be to leave football behind, and he offered some insight into Nick Saban’s decision to retire. 

On his 4th and Favre podcast, the Hall of Fame quarterback said he believes Saban simply reached the point where the ever-changing landscape of college football, especially the rise of NIL deals, made the job less enjoyable. 

"The state of college football or college athletics is one of the major reasons, if not the only reason, why Nick Saban left, Favre said. "It's about you go in and you recruit a kid and he says, 'How much are you going to pay me, coach?'"

There might be some truth to what Favre is saying about the generational gap. Saban is one of the best and left before the sport became unhinged in a "Wild West" backing.

"The older coaches certainly have a harder time with it than the younger coaches because they're entrenched in the old school mentality and it's hard to shift gears," Favre added. 

Saban, who turned 74 on Halloween, retired last year after leading Alabama to a 12-2 record and a No. 5 finish with a Rose Bowl loss. Despite remaining competitive, the demands of managing player compensation and transfer portal churn wasn't worth staying. 

Saban’s decision surprised some, but rest assured he's living his best life beside Pat McAfee and the rest of the ESPN College GameDay crew. 

The seven-time national champion reportedly has no interest in returning. He finally found a balance between loving the game and loving life beyond it as well. 

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