What Nick Saban said Ha Ha Clinton-Dix brings to Alabama football staff
Right before the end of the 2022 season, news of a familiar face returning to Alabama football broke while the Crimson Tide was at the Sugar Bowl.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix announced he was officially retiring from the NFL and would be returning to his college program to serve as a director of player development. He joined the Crimson Tide in New Orleans but held a virtual news conference with Green Bay Packers reporters after signing a one-day contract to retire with the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Now, the former Alabama safety is coaching Alabama players in everything but football, Nick Saban explained Wednesday.
"Ha Ha has got great character," Saban said. "He’s a great person. He sets a really good example. He’s got really good leadership. Players sort of migrate to him. He gives them great advice and direction in the things they can do to help accomplish their goals. He just has done a fantastic job for us and appreciate the fact he wants to be here."
Clinton-Dix won two national championships during his time playing for the Crimson Tide from 2011-13. The safety earned All-America honors in 2013.
Then he left for the NFL, playing for the Packers from 2014-18. He was traded to Washington before later making stops in Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, San Francisco and Denver. Over his career, he earned accolades that included making the Pro Bowl as well as second-team All-Pro and All-NFC honors.
"It always makes me happy when we have guys that played here, had great careers in the NFL, made the pro bowl and they want to come back and be part of the program," Saban said. "We welcomed him and he’s done a fantastic job for us."
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Back when Clinton-Dix announced his decision to return to Alabama, he explained his life was heading into coaching as his playing career ended.
"Helping these kids create great decision making and making the right choices as they get ready to further their career and head to the NFL," Clinton-Dix said, "and other avenues they want to endure after football is over with."
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Nick Saban said Ha Ha Clinton-Dix brings to Alabama football staff
