'Never thought I would see the day': Auburn personalities react to Nick Saban's retirement

AUBURN — Nick Saban's historic run at Alabama is over, as the 72-year-old coach retired Wednesday afternoon.

Saban has been a thorn in the side of Auburn football since his arrival to Tuscaloosa in 2007, racking up six national championships and nine SEC titles. The Tigers are 5-12 against the Saban-led Crimson Tide, including a devastating loss in November that featured the now iconic fourth-and-31 touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond in the back corner of the north end zone in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The retirement of Saban will cause ripples across the sport. Specifically for Auburn, the Tigers will have the chance to take some recruits that were previously committed or interested in Alabama. The biggest example of this is five-star receiver Ryan Williams, who has been pledged to Saban since October 2022. Williams plans to sign a National Letter of Intent in February, and Auburn hasn't stopped pursuing him.

Auburn currently has four WRs signed in the Class of 2024. Those signees have advertised the "Freeze 5," implying that they'd like to add Williams to complete the group.

Here are some reactions from those associated with the Tigers, starting with coach Hugh Freeze:

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Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze reacts to Nick Saban's retirement from Alabama

"Hard to express how much Nick and Ms Terri have meant to Jill and I as friends and you have forever set the mark for many to chase in this profession," Freeze wrote on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after the news broke. "Enjoy retirement!!"

Freeze has long discussed his friendship with Saban. Freeze said in August that Saban had reached out to him after he was ousted from Ole Miss to potentially join his staff at Alabama.

Auburn football players react

Former Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Nick Saban retires: Auburn football's Hugh Freeze, players react