University of Alabama to name field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in honor of Nick Saban

FILE – Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

The University of Alabama says it will honor seven-time national champion head football coach Nick Saban by naming the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in his honor.

The Honorary Degrees and Recognition Committee of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution today approving the naming honor, and the Board of Trustees will formally adopt the resolution and present it to Saban at its September meeting.

The dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will take place on Saturday, September 7, at halftime of the game versus South Florida.

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

Saban coached for 28 years at the collegiate level and won six of his seven national championships at Alabama (2009, 2011-12, 2015, 2017 and 2020). He compiled a 297-71-1 (.806) collegiate coaching record, including a 206-29 (.877) mark in Tuscaloosa.

Saban’s teams won a combined 11 SEC titles, nine of which came with the Crimson Tide.

“Dedicating the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium as Saban Field is a fitting way to honor Coach Saban’s extraordinary contributions to The University of Alabama,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “Coach Saban and Ms. Terry have significantly enriched our community, and this recognition celebrates their lasting legacy. We are grateful to the Board of Trustees for bestowing this great honor.”

In his six national championship seasons at Alabama, Saban’s teams went 21-2 against top-10 opponents, and, since 2008, the Crimson Tide was 37-15 overall against top-10 teams. Alabama was also ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll for at least one week for 15 straight years (2008-22), which broke the record of seven established by Miami (1986-92).

Off the field, Alabama football saw a total of 656 degrees earned, including 103 master’s degrees.

Through the Nick’s Kids Foundation over $13 million has been distributed to students, teachers and children’s causes at over 150 charities since the Sabans’ arrival in Tuscaloosa. Also, 21 homes have been built in the community through Habitat for Humanity.

— Information from the University of Alabama