49ers Weren't Only Ones Surprised By Coffee

Former Alabama tailback Glen Coffee, who worked his way into the San Francisco 49ers playing rotation in his rooking year in the NFL, surprised his team when he announced that he would retire.

Glen Coffee, who starred at Alabama in 2008 as Alabama went 12-0 in regular season, elected to turn pro after his junior year. He ended up playing for the San Franciso 49ers and was the back-up tailback in his rookie season.

Coffee missed San Francisco's Thursday practice and on Friday left a note saying he was retiring after one year.

San Francisco executives say they were surprised at the resignation.

So was Coffee's college coach.

"I really was (surprised)," Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban said. "I haven’t talked to him much. I really was surprised. Glen was such a warrior type competitor when he was here and played fantastic football for us and improved dramatically the two years he was on the team, had a fantastic year two years ago the last year he was here, seemed to be a guy who enjoyed the game. I don’t know what contributed to this and it did surprise me a little bit, but at the same time I always want to be very supportive and if we can be helpful in any way if there is an issue or problem, he knows he’s always going to be a part of the family here and we’d love to help in any way we could.