Nick Saban Field: Why Alabama named turf at Bryant-Denny Stadium after retired head coach

2024-07-19
6 min read
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There is no college football coach in history with more national titles than Nick Saban, and while he already has a statue on Alabama's campus, recognitions keep coming for the recently retired legend.

Alabama has officially named the turf at Bryant-Denny Stadium "Saban Field." The title will be honored during a ceremony Sept. 7 ahead of the Crimson Tide's matchup versus South Florida. 

While Saban himself might not always be in Tuscaloosa with his new gig as an analyst on ESPN's "College GameDay," his presence will be permanently felt at Alabama home games. 

Here's what you need to know about the new moniker for Bryant-Denny Stadium's playing field.

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Why is Alabama naming the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium after Nick Saban?

Alabama's board of trustees confirmed in a meeting Friday that the turf field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will be named "Saban Field," in honor of the six-time Crimson Tide national championship-winning head coach.

Saban and his wife were first notified over Zoom before the legendary coach issued an official statement on the honor.

"First of all, this is very special honor. I don't think there could be anything that honors the hard work and example that we tried to set our community, our university, and our program and all the players in it as to what you all have decided to do here today," Saban said.

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"This honor, or naming, is representative of what a lot of people contributed to. We never really had any signs up 'win a championship,' 'win a national championship,' 'win the SEC.' It was all about being a champion in everything you do."

Alabama will change the signage out front of the stadium to reflect the news, with the new sign reading "Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium."

Saban's legendary run with the Crimson Tide culminated in a 201-29 all-time record, including 117-18 in SEC play. He went to the national title game nine times in the 17 years he coached in Tuscaloosa, winning six titles. His seventh championship came in 2003 as head coach of LSU. 

Widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the college game, it's difficult to question the school's motivation to name the field Saban won so many games on after him. After all, Saban only lost nine games at home, winning 103 contests under the Bryant-Denny lights. 

Bryant-Denny Stadium capacity

Seating 101,821 fans, Bryant-Denny Stadium is only the fourth-largest stadium in the SEC and the eighth-largest in the country. Since retiring, Saban has maintained an office in the stadium and plans to stick around as a resource for new head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama players.

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Nick Saban Alabama coaching record

Year Record (SEC) Bowl/championship (result) Final AP rank
2007 7-6 (4-4) Independence Bowl (W) N/A
2008 12-2 (8-0) Sugar Bowl (L) 6
2009 14-0 (8-0) BCS National Championship (W) 1
2010 10-3 (5-3) Capital One Bowl (W) 10
2011 12-1 (7-1) BCS National Championship (W) 1
2012 13-1 (7-1) BCS National Championship (W) 1
2013 11-2 (7-1) Sugar Bowl (L) 7
2014 12-2 (7-1) Sugar Bowl (L) 4
2015 14-1 (7-1) CFP National Championship (W) 1
2016 14-1 (8-0) CFP National Championship (L) 2
2017 13-1 (7-1) CFP National Championship (W) 1
2018 14-1 (8-0) CFP National Championship (L) 2
2019 11-2 (6-2) Citrus Bowl (W) 8
2020 13-0 (10-0) CFP National Championship (W) 1
2021 13-2 (7-1) CFP National Championship (L) 2
2022 11-2 (6-2) Sugar Bowl (W) 5
2023 12-2 (8-0) Rose Bowl (L) 5

2024 Alabama football schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV channel
Aug. 31 vs. Western Kentucky 7 p.m. ESPN
Sept. 7 vs. USF 7 p.m. ESPN
Sept. 14 at Wisconsin 12 p.m. Fox
Sept. 21 Bye    
Sept. 28 vs. Georgia 7:30 p.m. ABC
Oct. 5 at Vanderbilt TBD TBD
Oct. 12 vs. South Carolina 12 p.m. ABC or ESPN
Oct. 19 at Tennessee TBD TBD
Oct. 26 vs. Missouri TBD TBD
Nov. 2 Bye    
Nov. 9 at LSU TBD TBD
Nov. 16 vs. Mercer 2 p.m. ESPN+/SEC Network+
Nov. 23 at Oklahoma TBD TBD
Nov. 30 vs. Auburn TBD TBD

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