Nick Saban announced his retirement earlier this year and it really sucked. When I was a kid I remember the Mike Shula days and how much Alabama struggled. I remember my dad and granddad talking about how good Alabama used to be and how dominant they were under Bear Bryant. And then comes Nick Saban. From that point on things were amazing. There weren’t many arguments that my Auburn fan friends could win against me anymore, They had the Heisman trophy trump card for a time, but before long they didn’t even have that. It was the best. And now it is over. 6 national championships later it is over. But the legacy that Nick Saban built can and will never go away from the University. So my question is what does Alabama name after Nick Saban to honor that legacy?

Nick Saban Field

I think the first obvious choice is to name the field that Alabama plays on to be named Nick Saban Field. Of course, the stadium is historic and already has its name. If you know anything about college football you know that Alabama plays in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The stadium was named for George Denny, the universities president at the time, when it was opened in 1929. Then in 1975, while he was still coaching, Bryant was added to the name for, of course, the historic coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. It seems appropriate that a coach that was just as, if not more, historic should get his name added in some way.

“Welcome to Nick Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.” I think that has a beautiful ring to it and honors both men that accomplished so much. This isn’t anything new. Plenty of schools including Florida State, Missouri, Clemson, Kentucky, and Auburn, just to name a few. Nick Saban field sounds great and seems very appropriate.

Nick Saban Quad

This one doesn’t have quite the same ring to it if you ask me. The name may need some work from somebody much smarter than me. But I do think it is a good idea. The Quad is something that every student spends time on or walks across basically everyday. And on game days in Tuscaloosa thousands upon thousands of people pitch their tents, fill tables with food, and set up their TVs to tailgate before the game. It is a huge part of the game day experience. It is also a big part of campus life for students. The Quad is a beautiful place and I think it could be a good way to honor Coach Nick Saban.

Nick Saban Lane

Bear Bryant not only has the stadium, but he also has a major campus road that bears (pun intended) his name. I don’t think just a road is enough for Nick Saban, but along with something else it would be appropriate. Paul W Bryant Drive runs along one end of the stadium, University Boulevard runs along the other. One side of the stadium has Wallace Wade Avenue, named for the Alabama coach that won national championships in 1925, 1926, and 1930. Very appropriate.

The other side of the stadium has Colonial Drive. Seems to me that would be a perfect place to have Nick Saban Lane. Now, that is not a very prominent street on campus in Tuscaloosa, but I do think it would make sense and be pretty cool. Another option is maybe Hackberry Lane getting a name change. Now with all due respect, and I’m not a great researcher, but I couldn’t find who or what that is named for. And it is a very long road that runs all through campus and is very well known. Just a thought.

So What Does Alabama Do?

It is obvious that the University of Alabama will do something, more likely multiple things, to honor Nick Saban. He is in my opinion the greatest college football coach of all time. If he isn’t then he’s probably 2nd to Bear Bryant. And Nick Saban deserves the same honors that the Bear got. Maybe the Walk of Champions? I don’t love that idea because it isn’t just Saban who made Alabama champions, but maybe. The practice already has a name and the athletic facility is already named for the great Mal Moore. I think the options I listed are reasonable and doable. Maybe you have some better options. Let me know here or follow me on Twitter/X and tell me there. And if you are looking to learn more about the new coaching staff that will follow Nick Saban, go read about new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack here. Roll Tide!