AARON RODGERS AND RUSSELL WILSON ARE AMONG SEVERAL NFL STARS WITH SOMETHING TO PROVE THIS SEASON
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Rodgers knows all eyes are on him. That’s nothing new for the four-time NFL MVP.
But the 40-year-old New York Jets quarterback enters this season, his 20th in the league, with plenty to prove after missing all but four snaps last year because of a torn Achilles tendon.
“I think if I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, we’re all probably going to be out of here,” Rodgers said of the lofty expectations on him and the Jets, who are trying to end the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 13 seasons.
“I like that kind of pressure, though,” he said. “It’s a tough market to play in, it’s not for everybody. I relish that opportunity, but that’s the way the NFL is.”
He certainly isn’t alone in the spotlight as training camps open.
Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson, San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey, Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley are among a handful of NFL stars with something to prove because of injuries, mediocre play or needing to justify big contracts.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets
Rodgers’ much-hyped arrival in the Big Apple quickly went sour when he was injured in the season opener and New York couldn’t recover. He was in the headlines again this offseason when he was mentioned as a potential running mate for Robert Kennedy Jr. and when he skipped mandatory minicamp to go on a previously planned trip to Egypt. But he’ll get another chance to turn around the franchise’s fortunes — and perhaps save the jobs of coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas in the process.
Russell Wilson, QB, Steelers
Wilson went from being a touchdown-tossing machine during his 10 seasons in Seattle, where he helped the Seahawks win a Super Bowl, to an underwhelming two-year stint in Denver. The 35-year-old QB was released by the Broncos in March after looking like a shell of his playmaking self, signed with the Steelers for the veteran minimum of $1.2 million and will have to beat out Justin Fields for the starting gig.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
All McCaffrey has done in his first seven NFL seasons is prove himself, overcoming a few injuries along the way to establish himself as perhaps the league’s most dynamic player. But last season’s AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year reset the market for running backs this offseason by signing a record-setting contract extension worth $38 million over two years and will be featured on the cover of EA Sports Madden NFL 25. The 28-year-old McCaffrey will have to keep playing at that video game-like level as the 49ers seek a Super Bowl return.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns
After being acquired from Houston and getting a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal from Cleveland in 2022, Watson has made just 12 starts. He was suspended by the NFL for 11 games in 2022 for violating the personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual assault and harassment by two dozen women. He missed 11 games last season after breaking a bone in his right shoulder. Joe Flacco became a fan favorite while leading Cleveland to the playoffs and Watson will be expected to do at least that this season.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
The 2021 No. 1 overall pick got a five-year, $275 million contract extension last month that includes $142 million guaranteed and a $37.5 million signing bonus — making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history. While Lawrence insisted his new deal doesn’t add pressure, he’ll need to continue to make significant progress on the field while trying to lead the Jaguars back into the playoffs after narrowly missing out last season.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
A two-year contract dispute ended with Barkley leaving the Giants and heading to the NFC East-rival Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. The dynamic playmaker can dominate when healthy, but that has been an issue in recent seasons. Barkley will get a chance to prove he’s still a top running back in the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts-led offense. And he’ll get to face the Giants twice a season.
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
Speaking of the Giants, the quarterback they hoped would be the face of their franchise heads into the season with lots of uncertainty. Jones has shown flashes of what made him the No. 6 overall pick in 2019, prompting New York to give him a four-year, $160 million contract extension in the 2023 offseason. But a neck injury and a torn ACL limited him to six games. GM Joe Schoen said on a recent episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” that “this is the year” for Jones to show whether he’s the Giants’ long-term solution.
Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
After failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension, Higgins is set to play this season on the $21.8 million franchise tag he signed last month. He’ll now try to set the market for himself for next offseason in free agency. But he’ll have to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2023, when he had 42 catches for 656 yards and five TDs in 12 games — all career lows.
Chase Young, DE, Saints
The 2020 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year while with Washington hasn’t developed into a consisting game-altering player, with injuries playing a large part. The Saints are his third team in his five NFL seasons, including a nine-game stint last season with the 49ers after a midseason deal. Young, who had offseason neck surgery, will be counted on to boost New Orleans’ pass rush after signing a one-year deal.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Tagovailoa could play this season on the final year of his rookie deal after the QB said last month he was “antsy” about getting a new contract done. He led the NFL with 4,624 yards passing last season, bouncing back from two concussions that cut short his 2022 campaign. But he might need another prove-it season with a return to the postseason before he cashes in next offseason — with Miami or elsewhere.
TEXANS FIRST TO OPEN CAMP, DENY COMPLACENCY
From worst to first and now the hunted, things changed rapidly for the Houston Texans under the direction of general manager Nick Caserio.
Houston was the first NFL team to start training camp with an on-field workout Thursday, turning the page from the offseason and putting to rest the turnaround 2023 season that marked the Texans’ return to the playoffs as AFC South division champions.
Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans are going out of their way to make sure complacency isn’t part of the summertime menu after a 10-win season was capped with a wildcard playoff win over the Cleveland Browns.
“I think we all understand the challenges in front of us. I mean, regardless of what happened last year, how much success, an individual player as a team, we had or didn’t have doesn’t really matter. You kind of have to start from scratch,” Caserio said. “You kind of have to reestablish your level of performance, reestablish your foundation. And that’s what training camp is about, and it’s no different for C.J. (Stroud) as it is for any other player.”
Stroud won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and is already drawing support at sportsbooks as an MVP candidate in his second season as Houston’s quarterback.
Complacent doesn’t describe Caserio’s approach in the offseason, acquiring wide receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Joe Mixon and defensive end Danielle Hunter.
“Every year it’s the same thing. Just try to put together the best team that we feel possible,” he said. “Take advantage of our opportunities and however we allocate the resources, we allocate the resources. We think we have a good team, but I mean, it doesn’t really matter. It’s all about action and not about talk.”
Houston starts the preseason in less than two weeks with a matchup against the Chicago Bears in Canton, Ohio. The new assembly of talent was together on the field Thursday and Stroud couldn’t help but smile.
“I want to definitely attack more downfield this year,” Stroud said after throwing to Diggs and his new collection of receivers. “It’s a five-headed monster. It’s super-dope to have a bunch of options.”
TRAINING CAMP QUESTIONS: CHICAGO BEARS
Two weeks before kicking off the preseason in the Hall of Fame game, the Chicago Bears open training camp at the team facility optimistic they might finally have a long-term answer at quarterback.
The Bears selected Southern California’s Caleb Williams with the first pick in the draft, ushering in a new era of offense with Shane Waldron hired to design a scheme to maximize the quarterback and his freshly assembled weapons.
Chicago drafted Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze and acquired Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers to go along with 2023 trade acquisition D.J. Moore.
Head coach Matt Eberflus survived the hot seat for another year with seven wins last season, rebounding from a 2-7 start and helped by general manager Ryan Poles making a trade to help the defense. He acquired Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders and signed him to a four-year, $98 million deal before locking up top free agent Jaylon Johnson with a four-year, $76 million contract.
Eberflus’ defense ranked near the top of the league in almost every statistical category over the final five weeks of the regular season.
But Poles’ next major decision might be whether to pull the plug on the head coach if the 2024 season doesn’t show sustained progress.
ABOUT THE BEARS
2023 record: 7-10
Training camp start date: July 19
Last playoff appearance: 2020 NFC wild-card game
–Here are three training camp questions for the Bears:
1. Can the Bears win without Caleb Williams playing the role of savior?
Peer reviews out of Halas Hall are projecting greatness from Williams. The plan is for him to take the majority of reps and get comfortable with first-year Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Chicago wants to feature a running game and free-agent add D’Andre Swift, but the scheme with outside weapons galore place Williams in prime position to succeed.
How subjective success is measured will be telling. The Bears are not one of the favorites in the NFC North entering the season and don’t overlook the learning curve likely for Williams and a team with plenty of fresh faces.
2. Did Chicago’s defense turn the corner for good last season?
Yes. No team was better against the run than the Bears in 2023 and that strength turned the spotlight to a secondary with talent and playmakers.
The Bears led the NFL in interceptions and with a strong pass rush, don’t expect them to take a big step back.
3. How will the offensive line settle in front of Williams?
Young at tackle and unproven inside, some consternation over the state of the offensive line is warranted.
But the Bears aren’t concerned — yet — because of the level of play they received from left guard Teven Jenkins last season. He’s a potential anchor of the group with plans to use Jenkins on the left side with right guard Nate Davis and center Ryan Bates rounding out the inside.
The worry is health, and Jenkins’ history of back issues is at the top of the list. Davis, in his second season with the Bears, signed a three-year, $30 million extension but was barely on the field during OTAs.
BEARS TRAINING CAMP CAPSULE
Chicago Bears (7-10)
OPEN CAMP: July 19, Lake Forest, Ill.
LAST YEAR: Justin Fields nearly steered the Bears back into the playoff picture in the second half, but Chicago’s postseason bid fell short, leading to another offseason remodel. Head coach Matt Eberflus kept his job despite a 10-24 record and 14 consecutive losses during his two seasons since replacing Matt Nagy. The Bears positioned themselves for a revival starting in 2023 by trading away linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens — Smith is an All-Pro, but the Bears opted to invest the $100 million elsewhere — and flipping the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for a home-run haul featuring WR D.J. Moore and two first-rounders. One of those picks became the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft when the Panthers skidded to a 2-15 record. GM Ryan Poles drafted Caleb Williams and shipped Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while also adding 10,000-yard receiver Keenan Allen (Chargers) and drafting Washington WR Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick.
KEY ADDITIONS: WR Keenan Allen, OT Kiran Amegadjie, S Kevin Byard, TE Gerald Everett, WR Rome Odunze, RB D’Andre Swift, QB Caleb Williams
KEY LOSSES: QB Justin Fields, RB D’Onta Foreman, S Eddie Jackson, WR Darnell Mooney, TE Robert Tonyan, DE Yannick Ngakoue
CAMP CHECKLIST: Indoctrinating all of the newcomers into an offensive scheme rich with talent might not happen suddenly, and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will have some challenges over the next six weeks. Namely, how will the interior offensive line shape up? There’s a less urgent matter of working out the timeshare in the backfield, where free-agent addition D’Andre Swift figures to get the bulk of the work. The secondary is captained by CB Jaylon Johnson, who re-signed as a free agent, but the Bears let go of ballhawk Eddie Jackson to create a competition for time at multiple spots.
2024 EXPECTATIONS: Jay Cutler started the last Bears’ playoff win in 2011 (over Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks) and still stands as the benchmark for passing yards with the franchise. Expectations couldn’t be much higher for Williams in Chicago, where he’s already being discussed as perhaps the best pure quarterback the franchise has ever employed. With apologies to Shane Matthews and Jim Miller, the Bears are optimistic the offense can grow into a strength but for now plan to let the defense be the teeth of the team. Chicago led the league in interceptions in 2023.
TEXANS TRAINING CAMP CAPSULE
Houston Texans (10-7)
CAMP OPENS: July 18, Houston
LAST YEAR: The Texans were resurrected as contenders under DeMeco Ryans with a roster reloaded by GM Nick Caserio and anchored by two rookies of the year, QB C.J. Stroud and OLB Will Anderson Jr. Houston won 10 games, the AFC South division and beat the Browns in a home playoff game to advance to the AFC divisional playoffs. Houston reloaded in the offseason, adding three players with Pro Bowl credentials: WR Stefon Diggs, RB Joe Mixon and DE Danielle Hunter.
KEY ADDITIONS: FS Calen Bullock, DE Danielle Hunter, WR Stefon Diggs, OT Blake Fisher, RCB Kamari Lassiter, RB Joe Mixon, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, DT Denico Autry
KEY LOSSES: LB Blake Cashman, DT Maliek Collins, Edge Jonathan Greenard, DT Sheldon Rankins
CAMP CHECKLIST: Regarded as a future NFL head coach, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik helped Stroud produce a plethora of “wow” performances last season. The task in training camp is fitting in the new guys, including Diggs and Mixon, without dimming the star of breakout WR Nico Collins. Fitting Hunter into a scheme that wants constant pressure on the quarterback should not be a headache, but his acclimation to the new defense after spending his entire career with the Vikings bears watching.
2024 EXPECTATIONS: Ryans harped the entire offseason about hitting the reset button, and Caserio opened training camp trumpeting a similar message: “Nothing is guaranteed.” The Texans are intent on staying at the front of the pack in the AFC South and climbing higher. There’s plenty of promise to build on after last season.
SAINTS OT RYAN RAMCZYK (KNEE) TO MISS 2024 SEASON
New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk will miss the entire 2024 season after being placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on Thursday.
The move was expected with Ramczyk still experiencing knee issues. It ends his season because he’s a vested veteran who was placed on the list prior to final roster cuts.
Ramczyk, 30, was limited to 12 games in 2023 and underwent offseason knee surgery to repair significant cartilage damage.
Ramczyk said late last season he has been dealing with the cartilage issues for the past three seasons.
Earlier in his career, Ramczyk was one of the top offensive linemen in the league and played 63 games over his four regular seasons. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2019 and was a second-team selection in both 2018 and 2020.
He was limited to 10 games in 2021 but was able to play in 16 contests through 2022 while regularly undergoing injections.
Ramczyk has started all 101 games in which he has played in seven seasons. He was a first-round draft pick (32nd overall) out of Wisconsin in 2017.
New Orleans also played defensive ends Chase Young and Tanoh Kpassagnon, tight end Juwan Johnson and linebacker Nephi Sewell on physically unable to perform list and put receiver Chris Olave on the non-football injury list. Wideout Bub Means was activated from the non-football injury list.
Young, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 with Washington, was one of New Orleans’ biggest offseason moves. He sustained a major knee injury in middle of the 2021 season that has curtailed his production.
JASON WRIGHT IS OUT AS WASHINGTON COMMANDERS PRESIDENT AND WILL LEAVE THE TEAM AFTER THE ’24 SEASON
Jason Wright, who four years ago became the first Black president of an NFL team, is no longer in that role with the Washington Commanders and is expected to leave the organization after this season.
A team spokesperson confirmed Thursday that Wright is departing the organization and will remain in a senior advisory role for the time being while the search for his successor is ongoing. That is expected to get underway soon as the ownership group led by Josh Harris that assumed control last year continues to reshape the franchise.
“This feels like the right moment for me to explore my next leadership opportunity,” Wright said. “We have taken this franchise through a period of immense challenge and uncertainty and have transformed it. We’ve set the table for an incredibly bright future under Josh’s leadership.”
Wright is expected to maintain similar responsibilities in the coming months, specifically focusing on a naming rights deal and the process of determining a new stadium site and further developments on that front. The team’s lease at the stadium formerly known as FedEx Field is set to expire in 2027.
Hired in the summer of 2020 by former owner Dan Snyder, Wright was immediately tasked with being one of the faces of the organization in tumult, along with then-coach and head of football operations Ron Rivera. A former running back who then went into business, Wright helped steer the organization through a rebranding effort that ended with the new name, Commanders.
When Harris and his group bought the team from Snyder, a North American professional sports record $6.05 billion sale approved unanimously by league owners in July 2023, Wright remained in his role throughout the transition.
Harris said Wright made a remarkable impact during his time in charge.
“He stepped in at a time of immense challenge and has led this organization through an incredible transformation that set that stage for everything that is to come,” Harris said. “I am extremely grateful to Jason for his partnership to me and the rest of the ownership group over the past year. His guidance has been invaluable and his leadership has helped reshape our culture.”
Wright, 42, pointed to fans returning and a reconnection with the community as some of the accomplishments he was proudest of from the past year on the job. He added, “Most importantly, we re-established a culture of respect in this organization.”
FORMER AFL STAR ABNER HAYNES DIES AT 86
Former AFL MVP Abner Haynes, a star running back and returner in the 1960s, died Thursday. He was 86.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced Haynes’ death but didn’t divulge details. Haynes died in Dallas.
Haynes played for the Dallas Texans from 1960-62 before the franchise moved to Kansas City. He played for the Chiefs in 1963-64 and was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1991. While with the franchise, he rushed for 3,814 yards and 39 touchdowns, caught 199 passes for 2,739 yards and 17 scores, averaged 25.5 yards and scored one touchdown on kickoff returns, and averaged 10.9 yards on punt returns.
“My family and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes,” Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said in a news release. “Abner was one of the first great stars of the Dallas Texans and the American Football League. In the league’s first season in 1960, Abner earned Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors, and more importantly, he earned the respect and admiration of his teammates and fans alike.
“In addition to his on-the-field prowess, Abner was a man of courage and leadership from a very young age. He remained involved in the community well after his playing days were over, and his legacy extends far beyond the gridiron. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Guadalupe and his entire family during this difficult time.”
Haynes was voted MVP in 1960, when he also won Rookie of the Year honors. He established career highs of 1,049 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in 1962.
Haynes also played for the Denver Broncos (1965-66), Miami Dolphins (1967) and New York Jets (1967). He finished his career with 4,630 yards and 46 touchdowns on the ground and accumulated 3,535 receiving yards and 20 scores on 287 receptions. Haynes also returned a punt for a score in 1965 to go with his kickoff return TD in 1961.
Haynes played college football for North Texas and was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as well as earning All-American honors in 1959. He rushed for 1,864 yards and 17 touchdowns in his three varsity seasons.
In 1956, Haynes and teammate Leon King were the first African-Americans to play college football on an integrated team in the state of Texas. He moved up to the varsity in 1957.
Haynes was inducted into the North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.
UTAH STATE OFFICIALLY FIRES COACH BLAKE ANDERSON
Utah State announced Thursday it has officially fired football coach Blake Anderson, two weeks after giving him notice of the school’s intent to terminate his contract.
In a statement released Thursday, Utah State said:
“This action is based on significant violations of his contractual obligations related to USU’s employee reporting requirements. These reporting requirements include a prohibition on employees outside the USU Office of Equity from investigating issues of sexual misconduct, including domestic violence. Additionally, Anderson failed to manage the team in a manner that reflects USU’s academic values.”
Anderson did respond to the allegations within the 14 days after he received notice, by way of a 70-page response submitted by Anderson and his attorney Tom Mars.
“Coach Anderson’s legal team believes this decision — as well as USU’s deliberately inflammatory July 2 press release — violate the terms of Coach Anderson’s employment agreement and the implied covenant of good faith,” Mars said in a statement. “We will be pursuing all available legal remedies on his behalf.”
In its original notice two weeks ago, the school cited “actions taken (by Anderson) in spring 2023.” The school also announced in the original statement that it also dismissed Jerry Bovee, a deputy athletic director who was interim AD in 2023, and Austin Albrecht, director of player development and community. They were part of the same investigation.
The Athletic on Thursday reported that the impetus of the investigation was a domestic violence incident in April 2023.
Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will serve as the interim coach for the Aggies this season.
Anderson, 55, was heading into his fourth season at Utah State. He compiled a 23-17 record, including a second consecutive 6-7 campaign in 2023.
The Aggies finished 11-3 during his first season with the Mountain West program in 2021 and won the LA Bowl, finishing the year at No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25.
Anderson is 74-54 overall, including seven seasons at Arkansas State from 2014-20.
Utah State opens the season against Robert Morris on Aug. 31.
ARKANSAS’ SAM PITTMAN EXPLAINS BOBBY PETRINO HIRE: ‘I WANT TO WIN’
Bobby Petrino wasn’t in the room in Dallas, but the offensive coordinator’s return to the Arkansas Razorbacks was a popular topic of conversation at SEC Media Days on Thursday.
Head coach Sam Pittman told ESPN his decision to hire the controversial Petrino was all about the Razorbacks’ desire to win, going on to claim at the podium that he is not worried about meshing with the man who once held his position.
Petrino was at the helm of the Razorbacks from 2008-11 and led them to a Cotton Bowl win in the 2011 season. But he was fired in April 2012 after a motorcycle accident led to the revelation that he was conducting an extramarital affair with an athletic department employee.
Petrino’s figure now looms behind Pittman, whose seat is getting hot after a 4-8 season in 2023.
“I want to win. I don’t care about all the rest of it,” Pittman told ESPN. “This has never ever, ever been about me. I’m grateful to be the head coach at Arkansas, and I’m trying to make the people of the state of Arkansas, the team and the staff proud to be a part of the program.”
Pittman told reporters that Petrino has been “a great resource for me” with his head coaching background and he is not expecting to butt heads with the Arkansas icon.
“I would want to work for me,” Pittman said. “I would want to work with me if I was an offensive coordinator because I’m going to let you go get them. Now, I’ve got (many) ideas and I’m going to come in and have my tape up there and go, ‘OK, I see this, I see this, I see this.’ But I would think if you ask Bobby and (defensive coordinator Travis Williams) and (special teams coordinator Scott Fountain), they say, ‘He gives me the freedom to run what I think is best.’”
Petrino, 63, spent 2023 as the offensive coordinator for Texas A&M. Jimbo Fisher faced nearly identical questions about Petrino’s persona at last year’s SEC Media Day session and said it wouldn’t make things “volatile” on the coaching staff.
Fisher was fired 10 games into the season with a 6-4 record, and Petrino wasn’t retained by new coach Mike Elko.
“I don’t know about A&M. I don’t know that,” Pittman said. “I just know we’ve given him the freedom to go score points.”
Hired in November to replace the fired Dan Enos, Petrino has already had a big imprint on the Razorbacks’ offensive personnel. Pittman said Petrino “hand-picked” Arkansas’ new quarterback, Taylen Green, a transfer from Boise State.
“I had a relationship previously with Coach Petrino,” Green said. “He was my first offer coming out of high school. Hit the transfer portal, and he called me every morning. Sometimes I wasn’t up, and he would text me. But I took that as that meant a lot to me. He made me a priority. That meant a lot.
“Just the vision that he had and Coach Pitt had, I’m truly grateful for the belief and the vision that they have. I feel like just the opportunity with the weapons that we have offensively and a great defense, I feel like the sky is the limit for us.”
Green emphasized how excited he was to play for Petrino.
“He doesn’t even have to say anything,” Green said. “You just have to look at his resume and turn on the film of the different quarterbacks he had throughout his coaching career and just the development that he has and just the six, seven months that I’ve been … coached by him, it’s crazy just how much knowledge and how much understanding that I got just from talking to him and just taking everything in.”
REPORTS: ALABAMA TO NAME BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM FIELD AFTER NICK SABAN
Alabama will honor retired football coach Nick Saban by naming the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium after him, media outlets reported Thursday.
Saban won six of his seven career national championships in 17 years coaching the Crimson Tide. The Alabama university system board of trustees is scheduled to meet Friday, with a resolution on the agenda for a naming at the stadium in Tuscaloosa, ESPN reported.
Tide Illustrated first reported the news, with the dedication ceremony scheduled for Sept. 7 when Alabama hosts South Florida. The Crimson Tide open their season under new head coach Kalen DeBoer against Western Kentucky on Aug. 31.
Saban, 72, retired from coaching in January, finishing with a career mark of 297-71-1 — 206 of those wins coming at Alabama (with 29 losses).
He began his head coaching career at Toledo in 1990. He coached Michigan State from 1995-99 before accepting the head coaching job at LSU in 2000. He won his first national title in 2003 at LSU.
Now a college football analyst for ESPN, Saban has a statue of him along with the Crimson Tide’s other national title-winning coaches on the Walk of Champions outside the stadium.