Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Alabama Staff Reportedly Gave Nick Saban A Bizarre Nickname

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alex Weber | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 5:18 PM ET

You could take 1,000 guesses at Nick Saban's nickname and probably never guess it. Thankfully, ESPN's Seth Wickersham let it slip during his spot on Pablo Torre Finds Out.

According to Wickersham, Alabama assistant coaches would refer to Nick Saban as 'Daddy' during his time in Tuscaloosa. The nickname came up briefly when Wickersham was explaining how Crimson Tide assistant coach Pete Golding was in dire straits trying to win over Arch Manning during his high school recruitment.

"All of the Nick Saban assistants call him Daddy, which is... maybe we don't need to go there," Wickersham revealed to Pablo Torre, who slowly and silently shook his head at the absurdity of such a nickname, especially for, you know, the most accomplished coach in the history of college football.

As the two discussed the Alabama side of Arch Manning's past recruitment, Wickersham recalled that Golding was feeling some fatherly pressure to close the deal and told a member of Manning's team that...

"(Golding) said... 'Daddy's on me,'" per Wickersham.

That's just funny. Imagine hearing Steve Sarkisian or Kirby Smart or Lane Kiffin — or any of the other head coaches who are former Saban assistants — call Nick Saban "Daddy." It's just preposterous to even think about.

So, when you see the serious looks of those guys on the sidelines this season, remember that these millionaires are goofballs like everyone else, so goofy that they, allegedly, used to call their boss "Daddy."

Nick Saban Really Wanted Arch Manning

Wickersham explained in that clip that Saban badly wanted Manning all along, but he wasn't going to put in the face-to-face time himself, since he apparently did not want to appear desperate for the quarterback.

Instead, he applied immense pressure to assistants like Golding to close the deal. When that didn't work out, well, it's no secret that Saban was out of football not too long afterward.

That's another report from Wickersham, that Saban might have stayed on at Alabama if he had landed Manning.

“You know, Nick Saban wanted Arch,” Wickersham stated. “And maybe if he had gotten him, he’d still be coaching.”

So, if Saban had landed him — and per Wickersham, the Alabama coach wanted him — then you’d think the retirement might have waited until after Manning left. There's a whole other dimension where a Manning-Saban duo is favored to win the national title this winter.

Alas, it wasn't to be. Happy trails to Daddy Saban on his wonderful retirement.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: