Nick Saban, it turns out, is just like us.

Wrapping up his first meeting with local reporters since his Jan. 10 retirement, the former Alabama football coach got the hook from the boss. This was before the annual Nick Saban Legacy Award ceremony Monday evening in downtown Birmingham where Frank Beamer and Bobby Bowden were being honored.

The clock was ticking before the official program began and Terry Saban was keeping time.

The longtime first lady of Alabama football hasn’t lost her touch.

She runs a tight ship.

“The Beamers are waiting on you,” Terry Saban interjected after the call for a last question went out.

Time to go.

“What’s that?” he asked after leaving the podium.

“The Beamers are waiting to do a family picture,” was the marching order and he went marching.

To be clear, Nick Saban retired from coaching football and coaching football only. Before getting the hook, the seven-time national champion explained his transition to this phase of life.

“The day after I retired,” Saban said, “I got ‘The 12 Commandments of Being Retired’ by my chair on the table. So I got orders from headquarters, man. It didn’t take long.”

Indeed.

The Sabans spent the last month-plus enjoying the retired life, playing in celebrity golf events and at their newly-purchased South Florida mansion. They were back in Alabama for the annual event honoring football legends, Birmingham’s own Bobby Bowden and retired Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer.

The event on Monday held in conjunction with Monday Morning Quarterback Club is always a favorite for the Saban. In the past, it was shoehorned in between recruiting and the beginning of spring football practice.

Now, there’s a little more time to enjoy the festivities.

And Terry Saban is still there to keep the party moving.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.