Alabama Naming Bryant-Denny Stadium Football Field After Nick Saban

The University of Alabama will honor former head coach Nick Saban by naming its football field after him at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the school announced Friday.

Alabama ceremony to dedicate the Saban Field is scheduled for the Saturday, Sept. 7 home game against South Florida

In fact, the honorary degrees and recognition committee of the Alabama system board of trustees unanimously approved the resolution. Nick and his wife Terry attended the virtual meeting, along with UA President Stuart Bell.

A ceremony to dedicate the Saban Field is scheduled for the Sept. 7 home game against South Florida. Of course, this game will air live on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.

“We are humbled that The University of Alabama has honored us with the naming of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium,” Saban said in a statement.

“The remarkable success that the football program has achieved over the past 17 years is a reflection of the hard work of many student-athletes, coaches and staff.

“Being leader of the process at Alabama has been the greatest privilege of my life. Terry and I are grateful for the naming of Saban Field, which forever celebrates our accomplishments.”

According to reports, the playing surface at Bryant-Denny Stadium is expected to be named “Nick Saban Field.” Bryant-Denny Stadium was built in 1929 and originally called Denny Field after the school president at the time.

However, the state legislature eventually added the name of coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1975, while he was still actively coaching at the university. The stadium itself is massive.

As a matter of fact, with a seating capacity of 100,077, it is the fourth-largest stadium in the SEC.

Saban won six national championships, 16 bowl games in 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide

Nick Saban, who turns 73 on Oct. 31, retired in January with perhaps the greatest NCAA coaching résumé. He won six national championships (2009, 2011-12, 2015, 2017, 2020) in 17 seasons at Alabama.

Additionally, the West Virginia native was 108-9 at home and 16-7 in bowl games as the Crimson Tide’s coach. Saban finished 201-29 overall and 117-18 in the SEC at Alabama.

Furthermore, in his final eight seasons as coach, Saban’s only SEC home loss was to LSU in 2019. Not to mention, the Tigers went on to finish 15-0 and win the national championship.

“We are thrilled to honor Coach Saban with the naming of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium,” Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne said in a statement.

“He is one of the greatest coaches of all time, impacting countless lives far beyond football. What he and Ms. Terry mean to The University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa community is immeasurable. They continue to be tremendous ambassadors, and we look forward to celebrating with them in September.”

Moreover, Saban retired with a 292-71-1 record across four head coaching jobs and won seven national championships, the most in college football history.

On April 16, 2011, Alabama unveiled a life-sized bronzed statue of Saban at the 2011 A-Day spring game just outside the stadium on the Walk of Champions, along with Alabama’s other national championship-winning coaches.

In addition to the statue, Saban was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Besides leaving his own mark on history, he coached four Heisman Trophy winners at the school: Mark Ingram II (2009), Derrick Henry (2015), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2021).

Also, Saban currently works as a college football analyst for ESPN.