The date was Jan. 19, 2017 and Greg Byrne had just been announced as Alabama’s next athletics director.

There was a news conference for the cameras at the Mal Moore Athletics Complex before heading down the hall to meet with local writers. There, only one question mattered.

Nearly seven years later, it’s happening.

Replacing Nick Saban is now the career-defining task on the AD’s plate after news of the legend’s retirement broke Wednesday afternoon.

But in January 2017, it was more of a hypothetical scenario for the future.

“I’ve read a couple of things where that’s been mentioned,” Byrne said Jan. 19, 2017. “I certainly hadn’t thought about it beforehand.”

He then paused and smiled.

“I’m kidding,” he said. “Please say that I said this tongue in cheek.”

For Byrne, the son of an athletics director, discretion has been his reputation when making coaching hires. He earned the nickname of “The Ninja” for operating outside of the public eye when making high-profile moves.

The 2019 hire of Nate Oats as Alabama’s basketball coach was a prime example. There were no leaks until Byrne announced the hire on social media.

News of his hiring to replace the retiring Bill Battle flew under the radar until the school announced the move in January 2017.

Though Saban was still in his prime, the then-66-year-old coach was already facing questions about his retirement.

“When I was with Coach Saban the other day,” Byrne said in that Jan. 19, 2017 meeting with local writers, “he looked to be in very good shape. I hope he’s the football coach for a very long time,” Byrne said. “He’s one of the greatest ones ever. The fact I get to work with him, I’m thrilled about it.

“When that time comes, that time will come. But I certainly hope that it’s nowhere near in the immediate future and I hope it’s many years down the road.”

Turns out it was seven.

Now all eyes will turn to Byrne for what will be the biggest moment in his life’s work.

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