Nick Saban knows how to roll with the punches these days.

The latest example came recently at the Waste Management Pro Am in Phoenix when he did an interview on the course with comedian Michael Turner.

“Do you think if you had another year to prove yourself at Alabama, you’d have more job opportunities this offseason?” Turner asked.

Saban actually laughed before he gave the coach speak on retiring.

Turner, of course, had a follow up: Retirement has allowed Saban ”to do what you want to do which, I think, is focus on Arizona State and kind of rebuilding our program?”

Another Saban laugh.

“Why you been dodging the program?” Turner continued. “You scared of the Pac-12. Now, it’s the Big 12. You can handle it.”

Saban replied, “If I was going to coach, I’d stayed at Alabama forever.”

He has kept busy as of late. Last month, Saban played golf, alongside Travis Scott and others, at the Mr. October Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic.

Saban participated in the WM Phoenix Open Pro-Am. If his opening tee shot was any indication, it appears there will be some good ole SEC ribbing. One fan yelled, “Go Vols” after his tee shot. AZ Central reported, however, Saban acknowledged a lot of “Roll Tide” cheers while signing autographs.

The 72-year-old former coach won’t be far from the limelight, despite retirement. He will join ESPN as a media analyst. The network announced Saban will be a part of its NFL Draft coverage and make an appearance at this summer’s SEC Media Days in Dallas. Most notably, Saban will join the “College GameDay” desk.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.