While several New England Patriots may have been prepared for a coaching change on Wednesday, it had nothing to do with Bill Belichick.
Instead, several players who played their college ball at the University of Alabama learned that legendary head coach Nick Saban retired after seven career national championships.
The 72-year-old developed several NFL stars, including impact players who found their way to New England with the Patriots.
Quarterback Mac Jones won a title during the 2020 season with Saban at Alabama, which boosted his stock to where he eventually became the Patriots’ first-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.