Tuscaloosa is approaching the five-year anniversary of a day that its residents never will forget.

On April 27, 2011, a tornado ripped through the college town, killing more than 50 people and shattering the lives of many more.

It forever changed the lives of the entire community, including Alabama coach Nick Saban.

With the anniversary approaching, AL.com’s John Talty reached out to those close to Saban to see just how the events that transpired impacted the five-time national champion coach.

According to the report, Saban gave his 2011 football team the following mantra to follow in the wake of the tragedy:

“I’m not looking for blessing to come to my life; I’m looking to be a blessing in someone’s life.”

That was a change in direction from someone best known for his obsessive football personality.

According to the sports psychologist that helped Saban develop the “blessing” directive issued to the football team,  the tragedy provided a chance for the “real” Nick Saban to shine through adversity:

“People don’t know Nick Saban well; you maybe see him in press conferences,” Dr. Kevin Elko said. “He was incredible, just an unbelievable leader. He did one of the best pieces of leadership work you ever could imagine.”

Talty’s report reveals that, in total, Saban and his team helped rebuild 17 houses and spent countless hours clearing debris.

And we know how that story ended on the field: Alabama football carrying the hearts of its community on the way to winning its 14th national championship the next season.

But as far as Saban is concerned, the greater impact came off the field in the way it changed his outlook on his role in the community. The once guarded personality even expanded his tight inner circle to include some new people to help with outreach.

Talty’s piece cites a couple of well-connected people that noticed that change:

“It doesn’t sound like a lot, but he let more people into his life,” author Lars Anderson said. “And it made him realize the power he wields in this state and really just how he can comfort people in a way that no one else can as the head coach at Alabama.”

His players noticed a change in his outward involvement, too.

“I noticed he became more charitable after that,” former Alabama kicker Cade Foster said. “You hear more stories of him donating his time and money through his Nick’s Kids program and through the Catholic center on campus. So perhaps it did. Looking back, I’m sure it did.”

Today, Saban is quietly active in many different areas of outreach. Just don’t expect to hear him talking about it much publicly– that’s not his style.