Story by
The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama football's dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium: What to know
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football's dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium: What to know
Legendary Alabama football coach Nick Saban will be honored Saturday as the university will formally dedicate Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Saban, who retired in January, won six national championships at Alabama and seven in his coaching career to become the most successful coach in the history of the sport.
Following Saban's first national championship at Alabama in 2009, the school built a statue of Saban near the Walk of Champions outside of the stadium along with other coaches in school history who won national titles. Now, he'll get his named attached to the facility as well.
Advertisement
"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," UA President Stuart R. Bell said in July, following the approval of the naming by the UA System Board of Trustees. "Coach Saban and Miss Terry have significantly enriched our community, and this recognition celebrates their lasting legacy."
Bryant-Denny Stadium began as simply Denny Stadium, named for former UA President George Denny, and the legendary Paul W. "Bear" Bryant's name was added in the 1970s while he was still coach of the program.
Along with winning national championships at Alabama in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020, Saban also won nine SEC titles over a 17-year span as UA's coach, from 2007-2023. In addition to coaching stops at Toledo and LSU , his overall record as a college head coach was 297-71-1. He was 206-29 at Alabama. Saban also brought unprecedented success for the program where the NFL draft is concerned, as 44 Alabama players were selected in the first round over his 17 years. Saban's charity, the Nick's Kids Foundation, has raised more than $13 million for children's causes in Alabama.
Here are details of the Saban Field ceremony:
Advertisement
Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium dedication
Alabama will hold both pregame and halftime ceremonies to dedicate Saban Field.
The pregame ceremony will be held at the Walk of Champions between University Boulevard and Bryant-Denny Stadium, and fans are encouraged to gather for the event by 2:30 p.m. Saban's national championship and SEC championship trophies will be on display, and commemorative posters will be available as well.
There will also be an on-field ceremony at halftime, following the Million Dollar Band's performance.
Alabama's kickoff against South Florida is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Advertisement
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
INJURY UPDATE: Alabama football's Kalen DeBoer gives a midweek injury update on Kadyn Proctor
SABAN FIELD: Outstanding in his field: UA dedicates Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football's dedication of Saban Field: What to know
