Alabama Gymnastics Coach Ashley Johnston Reflects on Nick Saban's Retirement

Johnston has the unique perspective of being a student-athlete and head coach at Alabama during Nick Saban's tenure.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There's only one current head coach at Alabama that was also a student-athlete for the Crimson Tide, and that is gymnastics coach Ashley Johnston. 

Johnston, who was known by her maiden name Ashley Priess as gymnast, competed for the Crimson Tide under Sarah Patterson from 2009-2013, winning two national titles. She was officially hired as Alabama's head coach in May 2022 and began coaching her first season in 2023. 

Throughout here whole time at Alabama, whether as a gymnast or coach, Nick Saban had been the head football coach. Until Wednesday, when the legendary coach announced his retirement. As the only person with the unique perspective of being a student-athlete and head coach in the athletic department during Saban's tenure, Johnston shared her thoughts on Saban's retirement. 

“I’m so thankful for Coach Saban and Miss Terry’s contributions to the University of Alabama," Johnston said. "It has been just amazing to be a student athlete here during that time. And then to come back as a coach at a place he has done so much for— not just the program, not just the university, but the entire community."

“I’ll never forget when I was first hired as the head coach here, Miss Terry was actually the first person to reach out to me and just congratulate me, ask me if I needed help with anything. I think that alone just speaks volumes about how much they care about the whole university, about the people that are a part of it."

Johnston was one of several Alabama head coaches in attendance at Kalen DeBoer's introductory press conference and is excited for the future of the program.

"I have all the trust in the world in Greg Byrne and how he has led our athletic department," Johnston said. "And I’m so excited to welcome our new staff to Alabama.”

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