Entering his tenth season at Alabama after winning his fourth national championship and fourth SEC championship with the Crimson Tide, is the end near for arguably the greatest college football coach in the game’s modern history?

Unfortunately for fans of SEC schools not named Alabama, don’t bet on it.

The Alabama head coach was asked about his future this week during the SEC meetings in Destin, Fla., as well as facing the age question presented to recruits by rival coaches on the recruiting trail. Here’s what Saban had to say on the subject of retiring.

“I really can’t imagine not coaching,” Saban said according to Chris Low of ESPN. “The only way I could imagine it was if I got to the point where I couldn’t put the same amount of work into it and couldn’t give the players the same commitment I always have. When that happens, that’s when I’ll get out. It really doesn’t have anything to do with how old I am. And right now, I’m as energetic and look forward to practice and recruiting when I get up every morning as much as I ever have.

“It’s the same way it’s always been for me. Nothing’s different.”

The challenge of replacing longtime defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will also likely fuel Saban in the season to come, as the renowned defensive guru will have the opportunity to show how much of his own stamp is put on the Alabama defense. If the Tide’s defense shows little to no drop off this fall without Smart coordinating the unit, Saban’s stock will only continue to rise in the coaching ranks – although if that’s even possible at this point is debatable.

Whether rival schools are using the age card against Saban in recruiting or not, it clearly hasn’t been working to this point, as Alabama has reeled in the nation’s top recruiting class for six consecutive seasons judging by the majority of recruiting evaluators.

After hearing Saban’s own comments, rival coaches and fellow SEC fans had better get use to seeing him on the sidelines, as it doesn’t appear he plans on riding off into the sunset anytime soon.