I’m still processing it,” said Kaitlan
CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins (right), an Alabama native and ardent Crimson Tide football supporter, reacted deeply to the announcement of Nick Saban’s retirement. (Ben Flanagan; via AL.com; via CNN)
Contributed by Ben Flanagan, bflanagan@al.com
Indeed, Kaitlan Collins is one of us. The shocking news of former Alabama football coach Nick Saban’s departure has left the resident of Prattville, along with the rest of the state, in shock.
As the host of CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” which airs weeknights at 8 p.m. central, she frequently takes time out of her hosting duties to remind viewers of her college football allegiance, including breaking the news of Nick Saban’s retirement. She also interviews prominent political figures, including potential presidential candidates.
Collins never hesitates to share her passion for Alabama football on national television, especially when her peers ask her to assess the Tide’s chances of winning another national title under head coach Nick Saban. During one of the Tide’s most successful runs, Collins attended almost every game while attending the University of Alabama from 2010 to 2014. During a recent trip to see her brother, nostalgia struck hard. She told AL.com, “I was thinking how nice it would be to be a college student for one more weekend, just return and go to a game because you don’t know how wonderful you have it until you’re a graduate.
Collins took the former “Saturday Night Live” star’s quip that her Bama fanaticism is a “mental disorder” in stride during a recent visit on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
Collins also promptly made plans to cover the chaos in Tuscaloosa last week on the national broadcasts, even though she could not have predicted it. She also discussed her feelings on Saban’s exit and what lies ahead for her cherished Crimson Tide in an interview with AL.com. (Note: We chatted with Collins just prior to Alabama announcing Kalen DeBoer’s hiring.)
America is aware, Kaitlan, that you are an Alabama supporter by now. And a devoted devotee at that, not just a fan. You used to have Nick Saban as your Twitter background image. What was your first thought when you
