You ever miss something you knew you’d regret the moment it happened? That’s exactly what Nick Saban’s daughter Kristen’s living through this week. While the GOAT of college football was out swinging clubs, she was not. And this is huge because Kristen isn’t just any daughter. She’s been ride-or-die with her dad throughout his career, from title runs in Tuscaloosa to the emotional step down last January. She was also present at Greystone Golf & Country Club last May cheering her dad at the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am. But this year’s different.

When Nick Saban showed up at the Greystone Founders Course in Birmingham, Alabama looking relaxed and retired, and still every bit of a competitor, it wasn’t just another outing. It was one of those moments Kristen Saban would usually never miss. But this year, she wasn’t there and FOMO hit hard. In her new Instagram story on May 14, she posted a nice picture of Nick Saban just as he was about to take a swing under that Alabama sun. Her caption perfectly summarizes her regret — “Kicking myself for not being there this year. 😪.” No fluff. Just regret. 

This wasn’t just some casual day on the greens. The Regions Tradition, presented by the Coca-Cola Drummond Company, is a big-time five-day event. For the ninth year in a row, Birmingham played host and Nick Saban wasn’t just in attendance, he was the show. There was the legendary retired Alabama coach, his successor Kalen DeBoer, and NBA HoF Charles Barkley all out there chopping it like it was SEC Media Days with golf clubs. 

Barkley is very excited given the fact that this will be the first time golfing with Nick Saban. “It’s always an honor to be around him because he’s the greatest college football coach ever,” the Auburn basketball legend said. “I have a lot of admiration and respect for him. It’s going to be fun today.” Saban, ever humble but sharp as ever, returned the praise — “I’ve always looked up to Charles and thought he was a great player… I certainly respect the fact that he comes home and supports the community the way he does.” And while Kristen Saban was missing from the gallery, their bond was still felt. 

Kristen Saban might see Nick Saban working for college sports again

This isn’t just about a missed golf game. Nick Saban and Kristen have always been tight. One instance where she celebrated her famous dad was in 2022 on National Coaches Day where she shared a photo of them embracing on the field. “You’re simply the best. #THEGOAT,” she wrote. And when the retirement announcement went viral in January 2024 after 17 years as Alabama HC, she didn’t hide her emotions. “It’s bittersweet. For my whole life I’ve shared him with the world. Now, I can finally just have him be ‘Dad’,” she wrote. 

But when you’re Nick Saban, you’re wanted everywhere. No wonder he joined ESPN College GameDay as an analyst. No wonder his name was floated as co-chair for Donald Trump’s Presidential Commission on College Sports last week. But for now, it’s questions without definite answers. “First of all I don’t know a lot about the commission,” Nick Saban told CFB critic Paul Finebaum about the role. “Secondly, I’m not sure we need the commission. I think a lot of people know exactly what the issues are in college football and exactly what we need to do to fix them.”

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But we’ll see what goes down. Kristen Saban may have missed a moment in Birmingham. But she’ll get another chance to assist Nick Saban if he takes up a college sports commissioner role.