Walking into a room full of recorders and cameras in a blue suit, red tie and signature ‘A’ pin on his lapel, Nick Saban acted like he hadn’t done this before.

“I know you guys don’t miss me,” Saban said while shaking hands and readying for his first media appearance with local reporters following his retirement last month.

After joking if he should stand in front of the podium or not, the now former Alabama head coach addressed his last month and the job his successor Kalen DeBoer has done leading the Crimson Tide. Saban spoke for about eight minutes in Birminghham’s Red Mountain Theatre ahead of the Legacy Award event that bears his name.

“We’re excited to be here. It’s great to honor some great and legendary coaches who certainly have left their legacy in terms of their transformational leadership and how they’ve impacted people and helped them be more successful in life. Both of these gentlemen, Coach (Bobby) Bowden and Coach (Frank) Beamer, are guys that impacted me in terms of their professionalism and the way they went about representing their programs, how they influenced their players and people in the community that they serve.

“This is something special for me and I’m glad we’re able to do this and I thank the (Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation) for sponsoring this and hopefully we’ll raise some money for the young kids in Children’s Hospital,” Saban said.

It was the third year the Legacy Award has been presented. Past honorees include Steve Spurrier and Bill Snyder, among others. Expectedly, Saban was asked about how his transition to retirement has gone.

“I’m doing great, man. It’s good. Terry (Saban) and I have enjoyed our time together, got a little more time for family, get to see grandkids a little more and it’s been really, really good,” Saban said. “Played a little more golf, so that’s not good but it’s fun. It’s been good. Anxious to see we can do whatever we can to continue to support Alabama athletics and the athletic program and the football program and hope the players and coaches that continue to have a great amount of success.”

Saban called Tuscaloosa “home” and he and Miss Terry will “continue to do the things to help the community in every way that we can.” It was previously confirmed that Saban will have an office in Bryant-Denny Stadium and he reiterated that any UA coach has an open invitation to ask for his help. When asked about the job DeBoer had done in his early tenure, Saban wanted to be clear he wasn’t planning on hovering over the program he led for 17 years.

“I really haven’t been around,” said Saban. “I really try to stay arm’s length. I don’t want anybody to think I’m looking over their shoulder. I think he’s hired a good staff. I think he’s a good man. I think he’s a good coach and I think he’ll do a really good job.”

About an hour before Saban stepped in front of a microphone, DeBoer reportedly filled his staff by appointing Baylor’s Christian Robinson as outside linebackers coach.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].