Alabama AD Greg Byrne revealed that he left Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night after Nick Saban's retirement decision and returned on Friday afternoon. He had multiple conversations with Saban during this period. Byrne emphasized Saban's involvement in the search for his replacement, stating that it would have been irresponsible not to utilize Saban's input. He also mentioned that Saban was very transparent about his retirement plans, and the staff had prepared a detailed plan to handle Saban's retirement. Byrne expressed that he was not surprised by Saban's decision and praised Saban's communication throughout the process.
Alabama AD Greg Byrne explains how Nick Saban will be involved with the program moving forward https://t.co/Odri57e89q
Greg Byrne sheds light on 'advisor' role for Nick Saban, who retired as the Alabama coach one week ago. "He's been very helpful trying to talk to the young men that he's recruited here and just again say we're in a really good spot going forward." 🔗: https://t.co/Vx4sgTjCXv https://t.co/gOZ8ui6FA0
"Greg Byrne was out talking to other coaches with Nick Saban still there." -What Alabama AD did NOT want to see or hear while prepping for Saban departure well in advance. https://t.co/gd9baTRbj6 https://t.co/pUBL4e6Md2
"We had been working on that for quite a while." -Alabama AD Greg Byrne, who was not as surprised at Nick Saban's retirement last Wednesday as many others, including some family members: https://t.co/W0WpWBi74B https://t.co/iNcezBJOoE
Alabama AD Greg Byrne not taken by surprise by Nick Saban retiring "When he would talk about his future, he was very transparent with me. ... I couldn't have asked for better communication as the retirement came." 🔗: https://t.co/VqEQ2QWlHW https://t.co/40kWw2FbPX
Greg Byrne said he knew what he signed up for when he took this job, knew replacing Saban was part of the gig. Said he didn’t feel pressure with the hire but “felt the responsibility” of the task. https://t.co/xzZpWb4h2H
Greg Byrne said Alabama had prepared an hour-by-hour plan on how to handle Saban's retirement already in place. The staff "divided up the roster" and proactively told them who to contact, and to stay in contact. "We got to stay together through this thing" was the message.
Greg Byrne on Nick Saban's role with Kalen DeBoer: "I'm going to let them work through some of that." He said interest from DeBoer in Saban's counsel is "genuine."
Alabama AD Greg Byrne said he left Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night after Saban's retirement decision and didn't return until Friday afternoon. He spoke "several times" with Nick Saban during that process.
Greg Byrne said Nick Saban was transparent with him through the retirement decision process so he said he wasn’t surprised Wednesday.
AD Greg Byrne said he wasn't taken by surprise by Saban's retirement. Then added in that Saban was involved in the search process: “It would have been irresponsible if I didn’t utilize coach Saban in the search process.”
Greg Byrne said Nick Saban was "very transparent" about his retirement plans and wasn't surprised when he made his decision.
Greg Byrne on Nick Saban: "I wanted him involved [in the search]."