They called for a statue. They cried for a monument. They called for anything to remember Alabama’s five-time national champion gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson.

Well, they’re getting their wish. Sort of.

Athletic Director Mal Moore announced on Thursday that the University of Alabama is beginning construction on a robot version of the legendary coach that will eventually replace Patterson on the sideline.

“Well, we wanted to build a statue for her, but I mean, five national championships? That deserves more than just a statue,” Moore told reporters Thursday. “So we started thinking, ‘What would be cooler than a statue? What’s something nobody’s ever done before?’ A robot was the only answer.”

When finished, the robot will walk, talk and even coach gymnastics just like Patterson. The plan is for the robot to take over as head coach of the gymnastics team when Patterson retires.

“It’s going to be great. We’ll track all of Sarah’s coaching habits and tendencies and transfer them over to the robot,” Moore said. “That way, whenever she decides to retire, this robot will step in, and it’ll be like she never left. Because let’s be honest — when Sarah leaves, we’re screwed.”

So what will it do in the meantime? After construction, Moore said the robot will be tested rigorously and might even step in for a few practices.

“You know, just to see if the thing actually works,” Moore said. “If it does? Great. We’ll lock it up in a closet or something until it’s ready. But if it’s not, we’ll know what the problem is and hopefully be able to fix it.”

The Athletic Department is teaming with engineering programs to build the robotic coach. Two professors along with several of their students will design and construct the robot.

“I really have no idea who Sarah Patterson is. To be honest, I’ve never even been to a gymnastics meet,” said Chandler Dalton, one of the students working on the project. “I’m just doing this so I can put it on my resume.”

When Patterson was initially notified about the robot, she was visibly taken aback.

“You don’t think that’s a little bit creepy? A machine that looks and acts like you?” she said. “But I guess it’s pretty neat. I mean, nobody’s ever gotten a robot before, right? Maybe I’ll help it out whenever it takes over and show it the ropes.”

Nick Saban was less enthused, however.

“You mean she gets a robot, and I win two national championships in three years and all I got’s a freakin’ statue?” he said. “I hope that thing has moon boots and giant ape hands like I got.”