Tua Tagovailoa, like most in the college football world, was stunned to learn the news that Nick Saban had decided to retire earlier this week.

When Tagovailoa heard the news, he was on his phone in the Dolphins facility alongside a couple of teammates and a pair of members of the Dolphins’ staff.

“Oh, damn! Saban is retiring?” Tagovailoa said before showing teammates the news. “It doesn’t even feel real.”

Tagovailoa’s reaction was captured by cameras filming for HBO’s Hard Knocks:

Tagovailoa played for Saban at Alabama from 2017-19. He helped deliver the 2017 national championship with a game-winning throw in overtime against Georgia on 2nd and 26 in the national title game. Tagovailoa, who replaced Jalen Hurts at halftime of that game, threw 3 touchdown passes in that legendary win over the Bulldogs.

Alabama conducted a quick coaching search and has already hired former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer to replace Saban.

Tagovailoa will be in action on Saturday night in his first-ever playoff start against the Kansas City Chiefs.