Nick Saban has received many honors during his tenure as Alabama's head football coach, but none as big as the one he is set to receive this fall.
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees is set to meet on Friday to consider the “Consideration of Resolution Approving a Naming at Bryant-Denny Stadium at UA.” Tide Illustrated is reporting that this meeting is to approve a naming of the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium to “Nick Saban Field” in a ceremony on September 7.
Saban already had a statue erected in 2011 at the Walk of Champions, next to the statues of other Alabama national championship-winning coaches.
Saban retired in January after 17 seasons as the head coach of the Crimson Tide, during which he won six national titles, nine SEC championships and achieved a record of 205-29. Over these 17 seasons, Saban lost only nine home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Following his retirement, Alabama provided Saban with an office inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. While Saban stated he doesn’t intend to interfere with the team's daily operations, he plans to serve as a resource for first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide players.
During his time at the University of Alabama, Saban made a tremendous impact in Tuscaloosa, both on and off the field. Because of this impact, he has been honored in multiple ways, and naming the field after him will continue his legacy.
In Tuscaloosa, there is already a street named after the Nick's Kids Foundation, along with his name gracing a playground and a Catholic student center. Paul W. Bryant has a street named after him on campus, and it would not be a surprise if Nick Saban gets his own street at a later date.
The Alabama program is forging ahead under Kalen DeBoer, but the impact Saban left over his 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide is second to none. Now entering retirement from coaching and a new career in broadcasting, Saban’s name and legacy will continue to be remembered in Tuscaloosa.
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