MARTIN, Tenn. — Cars circled the cul-de-sac, trying to catch a glimpse.

Oh no, Julie Simpson thought.

Word was out: the Alabama plane had landed nearby.

Nick Saban was in town.

The seven-time national champion had come to the small town in northwest Tennessee to visit his five-star quarterback commit, Ty Simpson. And some eager neighbors flocked to the Simpson home to try to see Saban. Julie, Ty’s mom, heard from a few of them.

We saw the top of his head through the window.

Inside the house that December 2021 day, Saban settled in. He arrived about the same time as the food from Blue Oak Oyster Bar and Grill did. The spread of appetizers included fried mozzarella, fried gator bites, bang bang shrimp and more.

Saban ate two platefuls. He told the Simpsons he hadn’t had something w

See Full Page