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Alabama Names Bryant-Denny Stadium Football Field After Nick Saban
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Alabama Names Bryant-Denny Stadium Football Field After Nick Saban

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

Alabama’s Saban Field dedication ceremony is scheduled for the Saturday, September 7 home game against South Florida

In fact, the Alabama System Board of Trustees Honors and Recognition Committee unanimously approved the resolution. Nick and his wife Terry attended the virtual meeting, along with UA President Stuart Bell.

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

“We are honored 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 the football program has achieved over the past 17 years is a reflection of the hard work of many student-athletes, coaches and staff.

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

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

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

With a seating capacity of 100,077, it is even the fourth largest stadium in the SEC.

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

Nick Saban, who turns 73 on Oct. 31, retired in January with perhaps the best NCAA coaching resume, having 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 coach of the Crimson Tide. Saban finished 201-29 overall and 117-18 in the SEC at Alabama.

Additionally, Saban’s only home loss in the SEC in his last eight seasons as coach came against LSU in 2019. Additionally, the Tigers finished 15-0 and won the national championship.

“We are pleased 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, who has impacted countless lives far beyond football. What he and Mrs. Terry mean to the University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa community is immeasurable. They continue to be great ambassadors and we look forward to celebrating with them in September.”

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

On April 16, 2011, Alabama unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Saban during the 2011 A-Day spring game just outside the stadium on the Walk of Champions, along with the other Alabama coaches who went on to win national championships.

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

In addition to making 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).

Saban currently works as an American football analyst for ESPN.