IT IS DIFFICULT TO CALCULATE EXACTLY WHAT NICK SABAN MEANS TO ALABAMA

When the news broke that the University of Alabama was going to rename its football field at Bryant-Denny Stadium it was met with a variety of reactions.

Was it enough? Was it too much? Should the “Denny" be dropped? We all heard the debate between analysts, fans, and other national media personalities. 

No single individual honor could adequately say thank you and honor what Nick Saban met to Alabama.

In all honesty, the only way it possibly could, would be to rename all the other things not named after Paul “Bear” Bryant” might even it up, but in a lot of ways it will always fall short.

When you go back to the day Saban arrived at Tuscaloosa Regional Airport on that January day, it was Alabama’s version of The Beatles arriving at JFK.

On the field, we all know the accomplishments Saban’s teams achieved. Whether it was six of his seven national championships.

Saban’s 206-29 (.877) mark in Tuscaloosa is impressive, what makes it even more impressive is Notre Dame’s Knute Rockne holds the NCAA career record of .881.

What we watched in Saban’s 17 seasons is as close to Rockne as we'll ever get. Saban coached four Heisman Trophy winners, 62 national award winners and 58 first team All-Americans.

Off the field, Saban was an even better person. Nick and Terry Saban were the faces of Tuscaloosa after the worst tornado outbreak to hit the state occurred in 2011.

Saban's philanthropy with “Nick’s Kids” made a difference where they have built over 20 homes in the community. When Saban’s own players wondered where they stood in society, they needed not to look any further and saw their coach was with them and marched with them.

When the festivities kickoff to name the field after Saban, we will be reminded the Tide were nearly unbeatable going 108-9 (.923) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Only one loss was by seven points or more. With all Saban accomplished on the field and off, he represented the Alabama community with the dignity and grace that embodies Tuscaloosa. 

I don’t think anyone could articulate properly what Saban’s means, he conquered the impossible “Bear” Bryant shadow and cast one that is even bigger.

Saban set a standard that will be talked about by generations that follow, similar to Bryant. The name on the field will stand for excellence and the process future Alabama players go through will always try to match that Saban placed.

2024-09-06T00:30:37Z dg43tfdfdgfd