Former Alabama LB Nico Johnson was a fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never exactly caught on at the professional level.

In four professional seasons, Johnson only recorded 13 tackles with one recovered fumble.

Trying to make the New York Giants’ roster last season, he was waived after a failed physical. On Friday, he announced he was retiring from the NFL to pursue coaching instead:

As you can see, Johnson had quite a bit of love for his former university in his retirement message, thanking coaches Nick Saban and Kirby Smart in particular.

While at Alabama, Johnson won three national championships — 2010, 2012 and 2013 — and was named to the All-SEC freshman team in 2009.

The talented linebacker will now try his hand at coaching, and perhaps someday he’ll be working for one of his former coaches at the college level.