'Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium' Receives Unanimous Approval

The University of Alabama Board of Trustees voted to name the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in honor of Nick Saban.

Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium renderings / Alabama Athletics

There will be a new name associated with Alabama's football stadium.

The field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will officially be dedicated as "Saban Field" at halftime of Alabama's Sept. 7 game against USF after receiving unanimous approval from the University of Alabama Board of Trustees on Friday morning to move ahead with the project.

Join us as we honor legendary head coach Nick Saban with the dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 7!

🔗 https://t.co/4Ic1pgQWDN#RollTide | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/utRajeI542

— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) July 19, 2024

Nick Saban already has a statue outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium, along with all of the Crimson Tide's other national-championship winning coaches, but he will now have an even more permanent legacy at the stadium.

"This is just something that we never expected and I can't tell you how much we appreciate," Saban said. "To have a legacy like this in your honor is... I can't even put into words."

"It's a tradition that was an honor to be able to represent. Certainly the most special place that you could ever want to be a coach."

The board of trustees showed renderings of updated and new signage with the new name. There would be new signs both inside and outside of the stadium, and the name "Saban Field" hanging over the Walk of Champions tunnel and the tunnel leading out to the field.

Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium renderings / Alabama Athletics

Saban's wife, Ms. Terry was also on the Zoom call for the Board of Trustees meeting.

"It has been a joy for me to have been part of this process and to ride this journey together with Nick," Terry said. "And sincerely from my heart, thank you and roll tide."

Saban announced his retirement in January after 17 seasons as the Crimson Tide head coach, where he won six national titles, nine SEC championships and 205-29 record. Over those 17 seasons, Saban only lost nine home games inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. In his final eight seasons, he lost just two home games (LSU 2019 and Texas 2023.)

The Board of Trustees acknowledged not just his football accomplishments, but the impact Saban and his family have had on the University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa community including millions of dollars donated to charities and scholarship funds. The enrollment at the university grew from 25,580 in his first season in 2007 to 39,623 by the time he retired.

"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," said UA President Stuart R. Bell. "Coach Saban and Ms. Terry have significantly enriched our community, and this recognition celebrates their lasting legacy. We are grateful to the Board of Trustees for bestowing this great honor."

The stadium was named Denny Stadium in 1929 after university president George H. Denny. It was officially re-named Bryant-Denny Stadium in April 1976 for Paul "Bear" Bryant, who was still actively coaching the Crimson Tide at the time.

"It is fitting that there will be another name of a transformational leader added to our place of greatness," Bell said. "It's even more fitting that the field, the focus of this place, be named in Coach Saban's honor. This will be the first time in almost a century that the field upon which the Crimson Tide competes will be named. For generations to come, legends will be made and transformational impact will continue on Saban Field."