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Chris Low, ESPN Senior Writer
Alabama will honor former coach Nick Saban by naming its football playing field for him at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the school announced Friday.
The honorary degrees and recognition committee of the Alabama system board of trustees unanimously approved the resolution Friday. A ceremony to dedicate the Saban Field is scheduled for Sept. 7 in conjunction with the South Florida game.
“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.”
Join us as we honor legendary head coach Nick Saban with the dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 7!
🔗 https://t.co/4Ic1pgQWDN#RollTide | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/utRajeI542
— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) July 19, 2024
Saban, who retired in January, won six national championships in 17 seasons at Alabama. He was 108-9 at home as the Crimson Tide’s coach, and they won 21 in a row in Tuscaloosa before losing to Texas in Week 2 last season. In his final eight seasons as coach, Saban’s only SEC home loss was to LSU in 2019. That LSU team went 15-0 and won the national championship.
Saban is now working as a college football analyst for ESPN. There already is a statue of Saban erected just outside the stadium on the Walk of Champions along with Alabama’s other national championship-winning coaches.
“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.”
