? Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Saban compliments golfer Justin Thomas at comically bad moment in The American Express appearance

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Thomas Goldkamp | Last updated 1/21/24

A bit of unfortunate timing led to some unintentional comedy during Sunday’s final round at The American Express, courtesy of one Nick Saban.

The former Alabama football coach has been making the media rounds since his retirement and took a few moments out of his day on Sunday to join the Golf Channel broadcast. That afforded him the opportunity to talk a little bit about Justin Thomas, a former Alabama golfer that has crossed paths with Saban a few times over the years.

Saban had some warm words for Thomas before disaster struck.

“Justin is a great person, great family. His dad Mike is a great guy and has been his teacher for a long time. But he’s a hard worker,” Nick Saban said. “I know he’s had to overcome some adversity last year, but he’s done it like a trooper and I think he’s going to have a great year this year.”

As Saban finished speaking the camera shot panned to follow Thomas’ golf shot. It tracked right toward some brown rough area surrounded by rocks, with water on the opposite side.

And it sure looked like Thomas got wet, twirling his club in frustration after the shot. At the time he was just two strokes off the tournament lead, playing the 10th hole.

Check it out below:

Nick Saban — on the phone for Golf Channel — says Justin Thomas "is going to have a great year," right before Thomas sends one into the water.

Tough timing with the commentary. pic.twitter.com/DMDKqb2RuG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 21, 2024

Nick Saban’s retirement stuns football world

Nick Saban has been active on the media circuit in part because he’s been freed of the constraints of being a current college football head coach.

He announced his retirement on Jan. 10.

Saban, 72, has been the head coach at Alabama since 2007, leading the Crimson Tide to six national championships during that time. He also won a title at LSU, giving him seven championships as part of his legendary career — widely considered the greatest of all time.

Questions about Saban’s future swirled over the last few seasons as some wondered if he’d eventually step away from coaching and head into retirement. Saban provided the answer before things had a chance to unravel on him.

Now it begs the question: What’s next in retirement for Saban? He certainly seems comfortable behind the microphone, so it’ll be interesting to see if Saban makes a pivot to media in the coming years.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: