It’s crazy to consider how Alabama football with Nick Saban wasn’t merely dominant. It was essentially a dynasty machine. When Saban arrived in 2007, the Tide was reeling from a disastrous stretch, and that first year (a forgettable 7–6) was an actual rebuild. But then, as if a switch flipped, Bama surged to a 12–2 record in year two, claimed the national championship in year three, and from that moment on, it felt like everyone else in college football was playing catch-up. Saban’s Alabama teams captured six national championships, amassed 10 SEC West championships and nine SEC titles, and sported a bowl record that most would give their right arm for.
Alabama’s still a dynasty, but the Saban iron-fisted days when it was a coronation every Saturday are in the rearview mirror. But you can bet your boots the Saban legacy lives on; just take a look at Kristen Saban. She spent her formative years right in the middle of the Tide’s football circus. Having worked as a student assistant for the Alabama football program, she dove into sports event management, currently cutting her teeth as an event manager with Bruno Event Team in Birmingham, a job that keeps her wired into the Alabama athletic world and allows her to stretch her public relations, marketing, and social media muscles. She’s also a board member of Nick’s Kids Foundation, continuing the Saban family legacy of philanthropy.
We only recently discussed the way Kristen Saban has her strong roots at the university, toiling behind the scenes and keeping the family name in the game, and now, in May 2025, there’s her dad, up on stage at the University of Alabama commencement, not only a local hero but the man who introduces the President of the United States, shown in WVTM 13 News. Nick makes a very powerful statement regarding life while speaking to the graduating class.
“When you embark on this journey, there are three things that I think always help me.” He continues, “First of all, have compassion for other people. Treat people like you would like to be treated.” He adds, “The second thing is being responsible for your self-determination. You’ve got to earn it. Don’t look at somebody else. Don’t blame somebody else.” Lastly, “It’s not about beating the other guy. It’s not about being better than somebody else. It’s about you being the best that you can be.”
Once Nick Saban made those trademark, razor-thin three-pointers, he concluded his wisdom by including his wife, Miss Terry, at the end, “So from Terry and myself, Miss Terry and myself, we want to congratulate the 2025 graduating class of the University of Alabama and wish you the very best in the future.”
Of course, as the clip from the event went viral on social media, we got an endorsement of Coach Saban’s words by his biggest fan in the world—his daughter, Kristen Saban. Kristen shared the post on her Instagram story without any caption. Sometimes, the words in the clip are enough. Just a share tells us everything about what Kristen must have felt after watching the video.
Grandpa Nick Saban’s winning tips
Kristen Saban’s son, James Nickolas Setas, recently turned 5, and from all the adorable posts, it’s obvious this birthday was a big one for the family. Kristen’s Instagram was full of love and pride, referring to James as “the joy of my life” and celebrating her “big boy” reaching that milestone. You can just picture the party atmosphere, probably filled with balloons, cake, and perhaps a little backyard football with Grandpa Nick offering some tips his way.
Grandpa Nick Saban was all about being coach mode, but much more relaxed and fun-loving than on the football field. With a celebration on a soccer field followed by some birthday play, the pièce de résistance was later on at a local bowling alley where Nick was in command, instructing the grandkids on how to set up and roll those bowling balls just so. Kristen captured it all with her three-word social media tribute, “Never not coaching.” Even in retirement, Nick’s still hardwired to instruct and advise, whether it’s deconstructing intricate football plays or assisting a five-year-old in finding his bowling stride.
Yes, he’s a coaching legend with a trophy case that rivals a museum, but to see him hanging out with his grandkids-laughing, teaching, and being present, betrays a whole different man. Jamie’s 5th birthday was not about game plans or football stats; it was about fun, family, and those small things that count.
The post Nick Saban Earns Daughter Kristen’s Strong Endorsement for His Powerful Alabama Commencement Speech Featuring Miss Terry appeared first on EssentiallySports.