Watch: Nick Saban's heartfelt reaction to first 'College GameDay' campus experience

Nick Saban has already warmed up to his new surroundings.

In the closing moments of ESPN's "College GameDay" from College Station ahead of an Associated Press top 25 matchup between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 20 Texas A&M, Saban gushed about his experience.

"GameDay" host Rece Davis said, "We told you it'd be different once you got here, didn't we, Nick?"

Saban couldn't contain his excitement in response.

"I never knew any of this. I never experienced any of this. I've never been to anything like this. This is so much fun," he enthused.

ESPN's Adam Schefter shared a clip of the moment.

Saban retired following the 2023 season after a 50-year coaching career that began in 1973 as a Kent State graduate assistant. He spent the last 17 years at Alabama, where he won six national championships.

With all of the Tide's success, "GameDay" traveled to Alabama often when Saban was their head coach.

Per NCAA.com , the college football pre-game show broadcast from Tuscaloosa 14 times from 2007 to 2023. But Saban was too busy preparing his teams to enjoy the atmosphere then.

He gets an entire season to make up for lost time, and based on how Week 1 went, Saban will enjoy every second of it.