Nick Saban Net Worth, Age, Height, Wife, Education, Career, & Wiki

Nick Lou Saban Jr. (born October 31, 1951) is an American football coach who has led the University of Alabama football team since 2007. We will see more about Nick Saban Net Worth.

Saban has previously held the position of head coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League and three additional universities: Louisiana State University (LSU), Michigan State University, and the University of Toledo. Many people believe Saban to be the greatest college football coach ever.

Saban led the LSU Tigers to a BCS National Championship in 2003, the Alabama Crimson Tide to BCS and AP national titles in 2009, 2011, and 2012, and College Football Playoff titles in 2015, 2017, and 2020. As a head coach, he has won the most national titles in college football history, with seven.

Since the debut of the Associated Press poll in 1936, he became the only coach in college football history to win a national title with two separate Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools. Only Saban and Bear Bryant have won an SEC title with two separate colleges. Saban has a 269–67–1 record as a collegiate head coach.

Saban was honoured by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. At Alabama, Saban has coached four Heisman Trophy winners: Mark Ingram (2009), Derrick Henry (2015), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2020). (2021).

Nick Saban Bio/Wiki

Real Name	Nick Lou Saban Jr.
Nickname	Nick Saban
Age	72 years
Date Of Birth	October 31, 1951
Birth Place	Fairmont, West Virginia, United States
Height	5 feet 6 inches
Weight	67 kg
Eye Colour	Hazel
Hair Colour	Hazel
Marital Status	Married
Wife	Terry Constable
Nationality	American
Profession	Football Coach

Bobby Bowden Net Worth, Age, Personal Life, Family, Career, Death

Early Life

Saban was born to Mary and Nick Lou Saban, Sr. in Fairmont, West Virginia. He grew up with a sister, Dianna, and attended Monongah High School in Monongah, West Virginia, a tiny town about 25 miles (40 kilometres) southwest of Morgantown. Saban’s ancestors are Croatian. Stanko Saban, his paternal grandpa, was born in 1895 in Gospi, Croatia, in the Lika area. Stanko moved to Portland, Oregon, when he was 13 years old, in 1908. Later in life, he married Anna Mihalic, a Croatian-American woman.

Saban was a member of the 1968 West Virginia state championship squad as a quarterback. Kerry Marbury, who went on to thrive for the West Virginia Mountaineers and play in the Canadian Football League, was one of his teammates.

Saban married Terry Constable, a West Virginia native, on December 18, 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University in 1973. Coach Don James had Saban play defensive back at Kent State. On May 4, 1970, he and a roommate avoided getting involved in the Kent State killings by eating lunch before heading to the protest location. Saban graduated from Kent State University with a master’s degree in sports management in 1975. Saban’s father died in the first year of his son’s graduate school.

Personal Life

Saban is a fervent Catholic who goes to Mass every Sunday before a game. The Sabans are members of Tuscaloosa’s St. Francis of Assisi University Parish. Father Gerald Holloway, a priest from St. Francis’ Parish, was a chaplain for the football club until being reassigned.

Saban has Croatian ancestry. Bill Belichick and Nick Saban are buddies. When asked about their connection, Belichick said: “In the same NFL division, two successful Croats. You have to admit, that isn’t something you see every day.”

Saban shares his last name with Lou Saban, another well-known football coach. In a 2005 piece on the younger Saban’s accomplishments, Lou referred to them as “distant relatives.” When Lou Saban died, his widow Joyce Saban speculated that the two men were second cousins, although their families claim they are not related.

Saban had a cameo appearance as himself in the 2009 film The Blind Side, and instead of following the screenplay, he wanted to just repeat a discussion he had with Michael Oher, which director John Lee Hancock agreed to. The documentary Nick Saban: Gamechanger was published in August 2010. Interviews with Belichick and Alabama athletic director Mal Moore, among others, are included in the video.

Saban has been married to his wife Terry for about 45 years. Nicholas and Kristen are their two children. The Sabans are co-founders of the Nick’s Kids foundation. Since Saban took over as head coach, the Sabans have utilised their organisation to aid support children’s needs. Nick’s Kids raised almost $1 million in his first three years at Alabama. Saban owns a lake house on Lake Burton in northeast Georgia where he spends his summers.

Outside of football, Saban maintains contact with his former players and serves as a mentor to them. Saban meets with former NFL players as well as former athletes who have moved on from football, such as linebacker Eryk Anders, who is now a pro fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In 2022, Saban co-signed a letter to Senator Joe Manchin expressing support for the Freedom to Vote Act, with a footnote stating that he does not favour the abolition of the Senate filibuster. Saban and Manchin grew up in West Virginia together, and Saban backed Manchin for Senate in 2018.

Nick Saban Education

Saban married Terry Constable, a West Virginia native, on December 18, 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University in 1973. Coach Don James had Saban play defensive back at Kent State. Saban graduated from Kent State University with a master’s degree in sports management in 1975.

Career

Early days of career

Saban had not want to enter the coaching ranks until Don James hired him as a graduate assistant at Kent State while he awaited his wife’s graduation. Later in his career, he worked as an assistant coach in NCAA Division I-A at Syracuse in 1977, West Virginia in 1978 and 1979, Ohio State in 1980 and 1981, Navy in 1982, and Michigan State from 1983 to 1987.

After the 1987 season, Kent State chose Dick Crum instead of Saban to fill the vacant head coaching post. Saban was then appointed as an assistant coach with the National Football League’s Houston Oilers.

Toledo

Saban began his head coaching career on December 22, 1989, when he was hired by the University of Toledo. Following 6–5 seasons in 1988 and 1989, the Rockets experienced early success in 1990 under Nick Saban. Toledo was co-champion of the Mid-American Conference with a 9–2 record.

The Rockets only lost two games that season, both by one point against Central Michigan and four points to Navy. Saban turned rejected an application from future head coach Urban Meyer when teaching in Toledo. Meyer was searching for any coaching job on Saban’s staff.

Cleveland Browns

Saban quit as Toledo’s head coach after only one season to become the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick the following February. For four seasons, he held that role. These four years, Saban subsequently claimed, were the “worst of my life.”

Prior to the 1995 season, Saban was named head coach at Michigan State. The squad had not won a game since 1990, and the NCAA had sanctioned the programme for recruiting breaches committed under his predecessor and former mentor, George Perles.

Saban considerably improved Michigan State’s fortunes after taking over in 1995, leading the Spartans to bowl games in each of his first three seasons. Michigan State finished 6–5–1, 6–6, and 7–5 from 1995 to 1997. MSU had ended 5–6, 6–6, and 5–6 in 1992–1994, respectively (prior to NCAA forfeits).

The Spartans defeated the No. 1 rated Ohio State Buckeyes 28–24 at Ohio Stadium on November 7, 1998. Despite the shock and an early-season thrashing of then-highly rated Notre Dame, the Spartans ended 6–6, with three last-minute defeats including turnovers, defensive breakdowns, and special-teams misplays, and were denied a bowl invitation.

Saban coached the 1999 Michigan State Spartans to a 9–2 record, which included victories against Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. Purdue and Wisconsin were both routs in the two defeats. Saban unexpectedly left after the last regular-season game against Penn State to accept the head coaching post at LSU. Bobby Williams, Saban’s associate head coach and successor, led the Spartans to a Citrus Bowl victory over Florida, giving them a 10–2 record for the 1999 season.

The Spartans had their most victories in a season since 1965, and they had their greatest ranking since the 1966 squad. On Saban’s coaching staff in 1999, future NFL head coach Josh McDaniels worked as a graduate assistant.

LSU

LSU hired Nick Saban as their 31st head football coach in November 1999. The Tigers finished 8–4 and won the Peach Bowl in 2000. Several blowout losses plagued the season, including a 34–17 loss to the Auburn Tigers and a 41–9 loss to the Florida Gators.

In 2001, Saban led LSU to a 10–3 record, which included an SEC Championship and a Sugar Bowl win. The Tigers went on to win six straight games after losing to the Ole Miss Rebels, including a win over #2 Tennessee in the 2001 SEC Championship Game and a 47–34 triumph over Illinois in the 2002 Sugar Bowl.

It was LSU’s first undisputed SEC championship since 1986, and the Tigers’ first Sugar Bowl victory since 1968.

The 2002 season began with great hopes, but a 26–8 loss to Virginia Tech prompted severe doubts about the team’s prospects. The Tigers would go on to win their next six games, but following a mid-season injury to quarterback Matt Mauck, LSU lost four of its final six games, including a 21–20 loss at Arkansas that forced them to split the SEC West Division championship with the Razorbacks. LSU also finished 8–5 after losing 35–20 to Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

The 2003 Tigers opened the season with five victories, including a 17–10 triumph over the defending SEC champion and unbeaten Georgia Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium. The next week, LSU was defeated 19–7 by Florida. LSU did not lose again in the regular season after the defeat to Florida, and finished the regular season with a win against the Arkansas Razorbacks to win the SEC West. The Tigers beat the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta after winning the SEC West.

They were rated No. 2 in the BCS rankings and progressed to the Sugar Bowl to face the BCS No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, who hosted the BCS Championship Game in 2003. The Tigers won by a score of 21–14.LSU won the BCS national title and finished the season with a 13–1 record.

LSU concluded the 2004 season with a 9–3 record after losing the Capital One Bowl 30–25 to the Iowa Hawkeyes on a last-second touchdown throw. Other defeats that season included a 10–9 loss on the road at Auburn and a 45–16 loss on the road at Georgia. Saban departed LSU to coach the Miami Dolphins at the end of the 2004 season.

Miami Dolphins

On December 25, 2004, Saban accepted the head coaching post with the Miami Dolphins. He was the franchise’s sixth coach in its existence. In 2005, the Nick Saban era began with a 34–10 victory over the Denver Broncos. The Dolphins struggled after that, losing seven of their next nine games to drop to 3–7. The two victories were against the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints, in a game played in Tiger Stadium because of Hurricane Katrina.

The Dolphins would come back late in the season, winning their final six games, including a win against the New England Patriots at Foxboro, Massachusetts, after a disappointing two months. In Saban’s first season, the squad finished 9–7 and missed the playoffs by a hair.

The Dolphins were projected to compete for a playoff position heading into the 2006 season. The season, on the other hand, was a huge letdown. The Dolphins considered signing quarterback Drew Brees, who had just been released by the San Diego Chargers due to a career-threatening shoulder injury and a contract disagreement but instead chose Daunte Culpepper, who was still recovering from a knee injury from the previous season. Culpepper never fully recovered and was eventually benched after the Dolphins lost to the Houston Texans in the fourth game of the season. After that, he was placed on an injured reserve.

The Dolphins, on the other hand, got hot after opening the season 0–6. They won four straight games, including victories over the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, both of which had previously gone undefeated and had advanced to the Super Bowl that year. The Dolphins were suddenly back in the postseason chase at 5–6, but a 24–10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars the next week effectively ruined their playoff aspirations.

The Dolphins bounced back the following week, defeating the New England Patriots 21–0. The victory would be the Dolphins’ final bright moment of the 2006 season. Joey Harrington, the starting quarterback, was eventually benched in favour of Cleo Lemon, the third-string quarterback.

While the defence was excellent, the offence was abysmal, with the exception of running back Ronnie Brown, who rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season. The Dolphins would lose their next two games to the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, finishing with a 6–10 record, Saban’s first as a head coach.

Mike Shula, the head coach of the University of Alabama, was fired on November 27, 2006. Saban was thought to be at the top of Alabama’s wish list, but he wouldn’t talk about the position while his NFL season was still going on.

During the month of December 2006, the media regularly questioned Saban about the Alabama position, and he continually refuted the reports in his weekly news conferences, noting on December 21 that “I suppose I’m forced to say it. I’m not going to be the coach of Alabama.” On January 1, 2007, Saban met with Alabama officials immediately after the Dolphins’ season-ending loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

2007 season

Saban accepted an offer to become Alabama’s 27th head coach on January 3, 2007, following a meeting with Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga. His first eight-year deal at US$32 million made him one of the highest-paid football coaches in the United States at the time, whether professional or college.

Saban was officially announced as the head football coach of The University of Alabama on January 4, 2007, at a news conference on the Alabama campus.

His Crimson Tide began the 2007 season with a 52–6 victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts, scoring more points than in any game during the previous season. With a win over the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks, Saban became the fifth Alabama coach to open his debut season 3–0 since 1900. Alabama finished the regular season with a 6–6 record, including a four-game losing skid, a humiliating home loss to Louisiana-Monroe, and a sixth straight Iron Bowl loss to Auburn. The Crimson Tide defeated Colorado 30–24 in the 2007 Independence Bowl to finish the season with a 7–6 record.

2008 Season

Saban led the Tide to a perfect 12–0 regular season record in his second year as head coach, after a disappointing season in 2007. Saban led the Crimson Tide to their first undefeated regular season since 1994, finishing unbeaten for the first time in his head coaching tenure. He was named “The Most Powerful Coach in Sports” on the cover of Forbes magazine on September 1, 2008.

In the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff at the Georgia Dome, his second season at the Capstone began with a 34–10 victory over the No. 9 ranked Clemson Tigers. Three weeks later, Alabama defeated Arkansas 49–14 on the road.

The Tide followed it up with a 41–30 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs, who were rated third in the country. Following the Georgia game, the Tide won back-to-back home games over the Kentucky Wildcats and the Ole Miss Rebels, and ended October with a 29–9 win over the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville. Following No. 1 Texas’ defeat to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Crimson Tide climbed to No. 1 in all major polls in Week 10 after a 35–0 homecoming victory over Arkansas State. It was the first time Alabama had kept the #1 rank throughout the regular season since 1980.

The Tide brought their No. 1 position to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and defeated LSU 27–21 in overtime. With the victory, Alabama won their first SEC Western Division title since 1999, as well as a berth in the 2008 SEC championship game. With a win over Mississippi State at home, the Tide moved to 11–0. Bama won 36–0 over in-state rival Auburn to end the regular season, the greatest margin of victory in the rivalry since 1962. Alabama won for the first time against Auburn since the 2001 season.

Alabama lost their first game of the season in the SEC Championship Game, 31–20 to the SEC Eastern Division Champion Florida Gators (who went on to win the 2008 BCS Championship), and finished the season with a 31–17 loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl to complete the season at 12–2. Saban won multiple Coach of the Year accolades for his efforts during the season.

2009 season

No. 5 in the 2009 season In the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Alabama defeated the No. 7 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies 34–24, kicking off Saban’s third season. Following that, the Crimson Tide defeated Florida International and North Texas. The next week, Alabama defeated Arkansas 35–7 in their conference opener. Alabama defeated Kentucky 38–20 in its sixth game of the season. Bama defeated Ole Miss 22–3 in the season’s sixth game, which featured a hard-fought defensive fight. Alabama beat the South Carolina Gamecocks, 20–6, in the seventh game. Alabama moved up to No. 1 in the AP poll for the second year in a row the next day.

The next week, Alabama defeated Tennessee 12–10 after Terrence Cody stopped Tennessee’s game-winning field goal attempt with four seconds remaining, securing the victory and increasing Alabama’s record to 8–0.

Alabama won its second consecutive SEC West Division Championship by defeating LSU 24–15 after a bye week. The next week, Alabama beat Mississippi State 31–3, earning Alabama’s second consecutive 10-win season. Following a 45–0 whitewash of Chattanooga on Black Friday, Alabama fought back to defeat Gene Chizik’s Auburn Tigers 26–21, marking the first time Alabama had gone undefeated in consecutive regular seasons since 1973–1974 and the first straight 12-win seasons.

In a rematch of the previous year’s title game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Florida Gators 32–13 in the SEC Championship. Alabama won the SEC championship for the 22nd time, and for the first time since 1999. Saban’s Crimson Tide finished the season with a perfect 14–0 record after defeating the Texas Longhorns 37–21 in the National Championship. The victory was Saban’s second national title, and Alabama’s 13th overall and first in the BCS era.

Saban famously declared at the on-campus celebration, “This is not the end, I want everyone to know. This is the first step.” Following the victory over the Longhorns, the University of Alabama announced that a monument of Saban will be unveiled in the week leading up to the 2010 season’s opener.

On April 16, 2011, at the 2011 A-Day spring game, a life-size bronzed statue of Saban was erected, making him Alabama’s fifth coach to be memorialised outside Bryant–Denny Stadium’s north end zone.

Season 2010

Alabama was unanimously selected as the preseason No. 1 team in both the AP and Coaches Polls as he began his fourth season. The Crimson Tide began the season rated No. 1 for the first time since 1978. Alabama trounced San Jose State 48–3 in front of a season-opening crowd of 101,821. The Tide beat Joe Paterno and #23 Penn State 24–3 in their first meeting since 1990 the following week.

Mark Ingram earned his first start of the 2010 season against Duke the next week, guiding Alabama to a 62–13 victory. The next week, Alabama recovered a 20–7 deficit to defeat #10 Arkansas 24–20 in their conference opener. Alabama beat #7 Florida 31–6 on October 2. The next week, Alabama was defeated 35–21 by #19 South Carolina, ending a 19-game winning run (29 in regular season).

Alabama rebounded with a 23–10 win over Ole Miss and a 41–10 triumph over Tennessee. Alabama suffered its second defeat of the season after a bye week, falling 24–21 against #10 LSU. Alabama rebounded back the next week, defeating #17 Mississippi State 30–10 at home. The game celebrated the University of Alabama’s football program’s 800th victory. The next week, Alabama trounced Georgia State 63–7, marking the first time the Crimson Tide had scored more than 60 points since 1979. Alabama fell 28–27 to in-state rival (and eventual BCS winner) Auburn in the Iron Bowl, ending a 20-game home winning run.

Auburn overturned a 24–0 second-quarter Alabama advantage to win the game, marking the biggest deficit overcome by any team in the Crimson Tide’s football program’s history. Alabama was chosen to play in the 2011 Capital One Bowl, and in their first encounter, Alabama crushed #7 Michigan State 49–7, the greatest margin of victory in the history of that bowl game. The bowl victory improved Alabama’s record to 10–3 for the season, securing the Crimson Tide’s third straight 10-win season.

Season 2011

Alabama was rated No. 2 in the country when he began his fifth season. Alabama beat Saban’s alma school Kent State 48–7 in the season’s first game. The next week, Alabama upset Joe Paterno and the #23 Nittany Lions 27–11 in their first visit to Penn State since 1989. Alabama defeated North Texas 41–0 for its first shutout of the season. Alabama beat Arkansas 38–14 in the conference opener. The next week, Alabama upset the 12th-ranked Florida Gators 38–10 in The Swamp. The next week, Alabama defeated Vanderbilt 34–0 in their homecoming game. The Crimson Tide then went to Oxford and beat Ole Miss 52–7.

Alabama beat Tennessee 37–6 in week 8 after scoring 31 consecutive points in the second half. Following a bye week, Alabama hosted #1 LSU, losing 9–6 in overtime in a contest between the conference’s top two teams.

After a shaky first half, Alabama bounced back with a 24–7 triumph over Mississippi State the following week. On Senior Day the following week, Alabama beat FCS 3rd-ranked Georgia Southern 45–21. Saban tied Bear Bryant for the fourth consecutive 10-win season with this victory. Alabama beat Auburn 42–14 in the Iron Bowl. Saban’s third victory over the Tigers in the last four years.

By finishing second in the final BCS rankings on December 4, Alabama was selected to face LSU in the BCS National Championship Game, marking the first time in college football history that two teams from the same conference (much less the same division of the same conference) faced off for the BCS Championship. Alabama won the rematch 21–0 with a dominant defensive performance, bringing Saban’s record against Les Miles and his old employer, LSU, to 3–3. The victory earned Saban his third BCS Championship, his second with Alabama, and the team’s 14th National Championship.

He is the only coach in college football history to win three BCS Championships, and the first coach to win three National Championships since Nebraska’s Tom Osborne.

2012 season

Alabama began his sixth season at No. 2 in both preseason polls for the second year in a row. Alabama started the season against #8 Michigan at Cowboys Stadium, winning 41–14 in the first meeting between the two institutions since the 2000 Orange Bowl. Alabama climbed to No. 1 in both polls the following week, marking the sixth year in a row that the Tide had held the top spot. Alabama defeated Western Kentucky 35–0 a few days later.

The next week, Alabama began conference play by defeating Arkansas 52–0, their sixth straight win against the Razorbacks. Alabama beat Florida Atlantic 40–7 in week 4, earning Saban his 150th victory. The Tide beat Ole Miss 33–14 the next week. Following a bye week, Alabama returned to Columbia, Missouri, and trounced the Missouri Tigers 42–10 in their first meeting as league opponents since 1978. The next week, Alabama beat Tennessee 44–13 for the sixth year in a row. Alabama defeated #13 Mississippi State 38–7 on homecoming.

Alabama defeated #5 LSU 21–17 in a rematch of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, overcoming a late deficit with less than a minute remaining.

The next week, Alabama lost their first game of the season, 29–24, against new conference member #15 Texas A&M. The next week, Alabama bounced back with its third shutout of the season, defeating Western Carolina 49–0. Alabama’s win gave them their fifth consecutive 10-win season, tying a record set between 1971 and 1975. Alabama won its third SEC Western Division Championship under Saban by defeating Auburn 49–0 in the Iron Bowl. It’s the rivalry’s second-largest margin of victory in history and the first shutout since 2008.

It’s Alabama’s fourth shutout of the season (they’re second in a straight), and the Tide end the regular season with an 11–1 record for the second year in a row. The Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 32–28 in the SEC Championship, claiming the school’s 23rd conference title. Alabama’s first conference title since 2009, and Saban’s fourth overall, came in 2012. (2nd with Alabama). For the fourth time in five years, the win guaranteed a berth in a BCS bowl game. Alabama finished second in the final BCS standings for the second season in a row on December 2.

In the first meeting between the schools since 1987, No. 2 Alabama defeated No. 1 Notre Dame 42–14 in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game on January 7, 2013. Alabama won their 15th national title, and their third in four years, with the victory. For the first time since 1978 and 1979, Alabama has won back-to-back national championships. Saban’s fourth national championship and third with the Crimson Tide tied him for second all-time at Alabama with Wallace Wade.

2013 Season

For the first time since 2010, Saban’s Crimson Tide was named No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches preseason polls as the 2013 season began. At the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Alabama beat Virginia Tech 35–10 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. After a bye week, Alabama went to College Station, Texas, to win its first conference game, upsetting #6 Texas A&M 49–42 in a thrilling shootout that Alabama had lost the year before. Alabama then defeated Colorado State, which was coached by Jim McElwain, Alabama’s former offensive coordinator, 31–6. Next up for Alabama was the #21 Ole Miss Rebels, who were shut out 25–0 for their eleventh straight win in the series.

Alabama defeated Georgia State 45–3 the next week. Alabama then travelled to Kentucky and beat them 48–7. Alabama beat Arkansas 52–0 for the second year in a row. The Tide beat Tennessee 45–10 on the third Saturday of October to win their eighth consecutive game against the Vols. Alabama faced #10 LSU after their second bye week, and Saban improved his record against the Tigers to 5–3 with a 38–17 victory. In a defensive match, the Crimson Tide beat Mississippi State 20–7. Alabama now had six straight ten-win seasons, the longest streak in school history. The Tide defeated FCS opponent Chattanooga 49–0 on Senior Day.

The Iron Bowl followed next, which was hosted by #4 Auburn in a showdown of top five teams. With barely a second remaining in regulation, the game was knotted 28–28, and Alabama and Auburn seemed to be headed for overtime. Extra time was not required, as Saban chose to kick a 56-yard field goal rather than run out the clock or attempt a Hail Mary from the Auburn 39-yard line. The choice backfired when the field goal attempt was short, but Chris Davis of the Auburn Tigers grabbed it nine yards deep in the end zone and returned it 109 yards for a score as time expired.

The Tide’s hopes for a national championship were crushed with the 28–34 loss, which eliminated Alabama from contention for the SEC Championship. For the third year in a row, Alabama concluded the regular season 11–1 and shared the SEC West Division title with Auburn. Alabama was placed No. 3 in the final BCS standings at the end of the regular season, earning an at-large berth to the 2014 Sugar Bowl.

Alabama accepted an offer to participate in their third consecutive BCS bowl game, and fifth overall in Saban’s seven years at the university. Alabama was defeated 45–31 by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. This was Saban’s second bowl loss at Alabama, and his first since losing to Utah in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide ended the season with an 11–2 record.

Season 2014

For the third time in four years, Alabama opened the season at No. 2 in the preseason AP and Coaches Polls, as he enters his eighth season. It was the Crimson Tide’s fifth consecutive season in the top two, and their seventh consecutive season in the top five. In the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Alabama moved to 4–0, defeating West Virginia 33–23 in the first meeting between the two teams. The Tide beat Florida Atlantic 41–0 in their home opener the following week after the game was called in the fourth quarter due to lightning. Southern Miss was beaten 52–12 the next week.

Alabama racked up 645 yards of offence in their conference opener, defeating Florida 42–21. Alabama was selected No. 1 in the Coaches Poll following a bye week, marking the seventh straight season the Crimson Tide has topped the poll. Alabama lost their first game of the season, 23–17, against #11 Ole Miss, snapping a 10-game winning run against the Rebels. Alabama rallied back in Saban’s 100th game with the Tide, defeating Arkansas 14–13 for its eighth straight win in the series. The Tide trounced #21 Texas A&M the next week, shutting them out 59–0, their fourth-largest win in school history.

Alabama defeated Tennessee for the seventh time in a row, 34–20, in their annual rivalry. Alabama headed to Baton Rouge to play #14 LSU after a second bye week. Alabama defeated the Tigers 20–13 in overtime after scoring a late field goal. Alabama upset #1 Mississippi State 25–20 in a top-five battle, marking the first time Alabama has defeated an AP No. 1 team at home.

Alabama then beat Western Carolina, an FCS opponent, 48–14. Alabama has now won ten games in a row for the seventh time in a row. Alabama avenged their sole regular-season loss last season in the Iron Bowl, defeating in-state rival #15 Auburn 55–44, the highest points scored in the rivalry’s history.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Tide went 11–1 in the regular season and won the SEC West. It was Alabama’s fifth division title under Saban (8th overall for his career). Saban earned his fifth SEC title (3rd with Alabama) in the 2014 SEC Championship Game, defeating #14 Missouri 42–13. Alabama won its 24th SEC title and first since 2012. Alabama was a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, and they lost 42–35 to No. 4 seed Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Saban’s third Sugar Bowl defeat was at Alabama. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a 12–2 record.

Season 2015

In his ninth season, Saban and Alabama were placed third in the preseason AP and Coaches Polls, marking the Tide’s eighth consecutive season in the top five. It was the team’s lowest preseason position since 2009. Alabama defeated #20 Wisconsin 35–17 in their season opener in Arlington, Texas.

The Tide trounced Middle Tennessee 37–10 in their home opener. In the conference opener, Alabama fell to #15 Ole Miss, 43–37, after a back-and-forth battle. Alabama rebounded back the next week with a 34–0 triumph against Louisiana Monroe. The Tide won 38–10 against #8 Georgia in a conference game. Alabama then beat Arkansas 27–14 to win the series for the seventh time in a row.

The Tide defeated #9 Texas A&M 41–23 the next week, thanks to a solid defensive effort. The Tide defeated Tennessee 19–14 in the traditional Third Saturday in October matchup, giving them their tenth consecutive win in the rivalry. After a bye week, Alabama visited #2 LSU in a top-five clash and won 30–16. Saban won the series for the sixth time in a row. For the eighth consecutive year, the Tide defeated #20 Mississippi State 31–6.

Following that, Alabama trounced FCS opponent Charleston Southern 56–6 to give Saban his eighth straight 10-win season. Alabama won their fourth straight West Division Championship and Saban’s sixth overall in the Iron Bowl, defeating in-state foe Auburn 29–13.

The Tide also went 11–1 in the regular season for the sixth time in a row. When the Tide defeated #18 Florida 29–15 in the SEC Championship, Saban won his sixth conference title. It was Alabama’s 25th conference title, second in a row, and third in the last four years.

Alabama was picked as the #2 seed in the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row. Derrick Henry, a running back, became Saban’s second Heisman Trophy winner on December 12. Saban is the only active coach with multiple Heisman Trophy winners, joining Bob Stoops. Alabama defeated #3 seed Michigan State 38–0 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.

Alabama’s first victory in the College Football Playoff and first appearance in a national championship game since the 2012 season. Alabama went on to win the College Football Playoff National Championship by defeating unbeaten #1 Clemson 45–40. Alabama won its 16th national championship and fourth in the last seven seasons. Saban won his fifth national championship, and his fourth at Alabama. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a 14–1 record.

Season 2016

Alabama began the tenth season of Saban’s coaching career atop the AP and Coaches polls. Alabama was ranked No. 1 at some stage during the 2016 season for the eighth time in a row. Alabama defeated traditional power #20 USC 52–6 in the Advocare Classic in Arlington, Texas, in their first meeting since the 1985 Aloha Bowl.

The Tide defeated Western Kentucky 38–10 in their home opener. Alabama defeated #19 Ole Miss 48–43 in the conference opener to avenge their past two regular-season defeats. Saban’s alma college, Kent State, was shut out 48–0 the next week. Alabama beat Kentucky 34–6 on homecoming. Saban won his 10th straight game against Arkansas the following week, 49–30. Alabama crushed #9 Tennessee 49–10 in the annual Third Saturday in October, winning for the 10th time in a straight over the Vols.

Alabama beat #6 Texas A&M 33–14 in their second consecutive game against a top-10 opponent. The Tide travelled to Baton Rouge to face #15 LSU after a bye week. Alabama defeated the Tigers 10–0 in a defensive battle.Saban’s win was his 200th as a collegiate head coach. Alabama has now won six straight games over LSU, including the first shutout since the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. Alabama beat Mississippi State 51–3 the next week. Saban now has nine seasons in a row in which he has won ten or more games.

With a win against #9 Auburn, Georgia won its fifth consecutive SEC West Division title, Saban’s seventh at Alabama and tenth overall. The Tide trounced FCS opponent Chattanooga 31–3 the next week. Saban completed an undefeated regular season by defeating in-state rival #16 Auburn 30–12 in the Iron Bowl.

This was Alabama’s first win over the Tigers in three years, dating back to 1990–1992. Alabama went 12–0 for the third time in Saban’s tenure at Alabama and the first time since 2009. Alabama beat #15 Florida 54–16 in the SEC Championship game, a rematch of the previous season’s final game. Alabama won their 26th SEC championship, Saban’s fifth at Alabama and seventh overall.

This was Alabama’s third consecutive SEC title, the first time the Crimson Tide had won three in a row since 1977–1979, and the first since the SEC Championship Game was created in 1992. Alabama qualified for the College Football Playoff for the third year in a row and was seeded first for the second time.The Tide were chosen to play in the Peach Bowl against the Washington Huskies, who were seeded fourth.

Alabama defeated the Huskies 24–7 in their first meeting since the Sun Bowl in 1986. Alabama lost 35–31 to #2 Clemson in a repeat of the previous season’s National Championship game when the Tigers scored a game-winning touchdown pass with 1 second remaining on the clock. Time expired after Alabama failed to recover Clemson’s onside kick. Alabama’s 26-game winning streak came to an end, and it was Saban’s first loss in a championship game. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a 14–1 record.

Season 2017

Alabama opened the season atop both the AP and Coaches polls for the second year in a row in Saban’s 11th season. Alabama was ranked No. 1 at some point during the season for the 10th time in a straight, and the fourth time under Saban. In the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Alabama defeated #3 Florida State 24–7 in a duel of top-3 teams. Alabama is now 5–0 versus former assistant coaches in Chick-fil-A games, and Saban is 11–0 against them. The Tide trounced Fresno State 41–10 in their home opener. Alabama beat Colorado State 41–23 the next week. The Tide defeated Vanderbilt 59–0 in the league opener.

The next week, Alabama thrashed Ole Miss 66–3, setting a new record for most points scored in a game since 1979. The next week, Alabama beat Texas A&M 27–19 on the road. The next week, Alabama trounced Arkansas 41–9 to win the series for the 11th time in a row. The Tide beat Tennessee 45–7 on the traditional Third Saturday in October. The victory was the Vols’ 11th in a row, tying the school record established from 1971 to 1981. After a bye week, Alabama defeated #19 LSU 24–10 for the fifth time in a row. The Crimson Tide then headed to Starkville and defeated #18 Mississippi State 31–24.

Saban’s 10th consecutive season with 10 or more victories was achieved with this victory. Alabama defeated FCS opponent Mercer 56–0 on Senior Day. Saban’s senior class now has 51 wins, tying the NCAA record. The Tide lost their first game of the season in the Iron Bowl, losing 26–14 to in-state foe #6 Auburn. They went 11–1 in the regular season. Alabama was named to the College Football Playoff for the fourth year in a row on December 3, becoming the first team to be picked despite placing second in the SEC Western division and missing out on a chance to compete for the SEC Championship. They were seeded fourth and faced the Clemson Tigers, who were seeded first, in the Sugar Bowl.

Alabama won 24–6 in a replay of the previous two National Championship games, avenging the previous season’s sole defeat to Clemson. Saban’s first Sugar Bowl triumph as Alabama’s coach came with the victory, snapping a three-game losing record in the bowl. Saban’s third consecutive berth in the College Football Playoff Championship game was clinched with the victory.

It was also Saban’s Senior class’s 52nd win, an NCAA record. In the 2nd ever National Championship game between SEC teams, Alabama faced the #3 seed Georgia Bulldogs. Tua Tagovailoa, the backup quarterback, completed the game-winning touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith in overtime to give the Titans a 26–23 victory. Alabama won their 17th National Championship and they’re fifth in the last nine seasons.

With six National Championships, Saban is tied with Coach Bear Bryant for the most in the poll era. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a 13–1 record.

Season 2018

Alabama began the season ranked #1 in the AP and coaches polls for the third consecutive year in its eleventh season. The Tide beat Louisville 51–14 in the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, Florida. The Tide trounced Arkansas State 57–7 in their home opener. The Crimson Tide defeated Ole Miss 62–7 in their conference opener. Jimbo Fisher and #22 Texas A&M were then beaten 45–23 by the Tide. Alabama defeated Louisiana 56–14 the next week. Alabama next travelled to Fayetteville, Arkansas, and beat the Hogs 65–31 for the 12th time in a row. The Crimson Tide beat Missouri 39–10 on homecoming.

Alabama beat Tennessee 58–21 on the third Saturday of October. With 12 wins and the most points scored against the Vols, it was the longest winning streak and most points scored against them. Alabama’s bye week was followed by a trip to Baton Rouge to face #4 LSU in a top four battle.

The Tide won their 7th straight division title by shutting out the Tigers 29–0. Saban’s victory over LSU was his eighth in a row. The victory was also Alabama’s 900th in programme history. The Tide then shut out #18 Mississippi State 24–0, the first time a conference opponent has been shut out twice in a row since 1980. Saban’s 11th consecutive 10-win season was achieved with the victory.

After that, the Tide trounced FCS foe The Citadel 50–17. Alabama defeated rival Auburn 52–21 in the Iron Bowl, avenging their sole loss the previous season against the Tigers. Saban’s fourth consecutive unbeaten regular season was assured with the victory. Alabama rallied from a 14-point deficit to overcome #4 Georgia 35–28 in the SEC Championship, led by backup quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Alabama won its 27th SEC Championship with the victory. It was Saban’s eighth conference championship, and his sixth with Alabama. Saban’s senior class now has 54 victories, shattering the previous year’s NCAA record of 53 victories. Alabama was picked for the College Football Playoff for the sixth year in a row the next day.

For the third time, they were chosen as the top seed and faced #4 seed Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The Tide defeated Oklahoma 45–34 in their first meeting since the 2014 Sugar Bowl, snapping a three-game losing run. Alabama has not won the Orange Bowl since 1966.

For the fourth year in a row, Alabama went to the National Championship game, where they faced the #2 seeded Clemson Tigers. Saban experienced his worst loss at Alabama, falling 44–16 to Clemson in the third title game in four years. Saban’s record in CFP championship games is now 2–2. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a 14–1 record.

Season 2019

Alabama opened the year ranked #2 in the AP and coaches polls in his thirteenth season. Alabama beat Duke 42–3 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The Tide defeated New Mexico State 62–10 in their home opener. Alabama beat South Carolina 47–23 in their conference opener in Columbia, SC. Southern Miss was then beaten 49–7 by Alabama.

Alabama beat Ole Miss 59–31 to return to league play. Alabama jumped to the top of the AP and Coaches polls the next day. Alabama had been rated first at some time during the season for the eleventh year in a row. Following a bye week, Alabama beat #24 Texas A&M 47–28 in College Station, Texas.

The Tide defeated Tennessee 35–13 on the third Saturday in October for their 13th win in a row. Alabama defeated Arkansas 48–7 on homecoming for the 13th time in a row. After a second bye week, Alabama faced #2 LSU in a top-three battle for the second year in a row.

LSU beat Saban for the first time this season, 46–41, ending an eight-game winning streak against the Tigers. It also ended Alabama’s 31-game winning streak at home. Alabama beat Mississippi State 38–7 the next week. The Tide defeated Western Carolina 66–3 on Senior Day, giving Saban his 12th straight 10-win season. Saban lost his second game of the season in the Iron Bowl, 48–45, to rival #15 Auburn.

Saban hasn’t lost two regular-season games since 2010, and he hasn’t qualified for the College Football Playoff for the first time. Alabama concluded the regular season with a 10–2 record and was rated 13th in the final College Football Playoff poll. They were chosen to compete in the Citrus Bowl against Jim Harbaugh and #14 Michigan. The Tide won 35–16 in their first encounter since 2012. The Crimson Tide ended the season with an 11–2 record.

Season 2020

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States, Alabama’s 14th season was reduced to an all-conference, ten-game schedule, which began on September 26. Alabama has rated #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls at the start of the season.

Alabama beat Missouri 38–19 on the road in the season opener. Alabama beat #13 Texas A&M 52–24 in their home opener. Saban faced former aide Lane Kiffin the following week. Alabama beat Ole Miss 63–48 in a shootout. The 111 points scored were the most ever in an SEC non-overtime conference game.

On October 14, 2020, Saban and the university’s sports director, Greg Byrne, both tested positive for COVID-19. Saban tested negative that Saturday and was able to coach Alabama in a top three clash versus #3 Georgia. The Tide won 41–24, improving to 22–0 against previous assistants. Alabama defeated Tennessee 48–17 on the third Saturday of October for the 14th time in a row.

The next week, Alabama defeated Mississippi State 41–0. Alabama has risen to the top of the polls following their bye week. Alabama has won the national championship for the twelfth consecutive season. Alabama returned to play after a week break due to COVID-19, beating Kentucky 63–3.

Saban’s win was his 250th as a collegiate head coach. Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on November 25. He was unable to play in the Iron Bowl against #22 Auburn, which Alabama won 42–13. Saban was back on the sidelines the following week, when Alabama defeated LSU 55-17. Alabama won their 15th SEC West division title, and Saban’s 13th as a coach, with the victory.

Alabama was unbeaten in the regular season after beating Arkansas 52-3. It was Saban’s sixth consecutive undefeated regular season at Alabama, and he became the first coach in league history to win 10 games in a single season. It’s also Alabama’s 13th season in a row with at least ten wins. Alabama won the SEC Championship 52-46 against #7 Florida in a high-scoring contest. Alabama’s 28th SEC title and Saban’s ninth overall came as a result of the victory.

Alabama was picked for the College Football Playoff for the sixth time in seven years the next day. In the Rose Bowl, Alabama was seeded first and faced Notre Dame, who was seeded fourth. The Tide trounced the Irish 31-14 in their first meeting since the 2013 BCS National Championship Game.

It was Alabama’s first Rose Bowl trip and victory since 1946. DeVonta Smith became Saban’s third Heisman Trophy winner on January 5, 2021. Mac Jones and Najee Harris came in third and fifth place in the vote, respectively. Alabama became the second programme in Heisman history to have three players finish in the top five.

Alabama won their 18th National Championship by defeating #3 Ohio State 52-24 in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship. Saban won his seventh National Championship overall, and his sixth with the Crimson Tide. Saban now has more championships than Paul W. Bryant. It was Saban’s second unbeaten season and first since 2009. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a 13-0 record.

Season 2021

Saban and Alabama agreed to a contract extension on June 7, 2021. The contract will last until the 2028 season.

In his 15th season, Alabama began the season atop the preseason AP and Coaches polls, marking the Tide’s 14th straight season in the top spot. Alabama has began the season as the No. 1 team for the sixth time in Saban’s tenure. Alabama beat #14 Miami (FL) 44-13 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, their first meeting since the 1993 Sugar Bowl. The Tide trounced Mercer 48-14 in their home opener.

The next week, Alabama went to Gainesville to face Florida, which was ranked #11 at the time. The Tide won a tight game 31-29 in the conference opener. Alabama beat Southern Miss 63-14 the next week.

Alabama then defeated Ole Miss, which was ranked 12th, 42-21. The Crimson Tide then headed to College Station, Texas, to face Texas A&M. In a back-and-forth battle, the Aggies beat the Tide 41-38 with a last-second field goal. The loss ended a 19-game winning run, an 8-game winning streak against the Aggies, and a century-long winning record against unranked opponents dating back to 2007.

Alabama rebounded back the next week, beating Mississippi State 49-9. Alabama beat Tennessee 52-24 on the third Saturday of October to win the series for the 15th time in a row. Following the bye week, Alabama defeated LSU 20-14 in a tight contest. Alabama won 59-3 versus New Mexico State to finish up non-conference play.

On Senior Day, Alabama defeated #21 Arkansas 42-35 in another tight game. Saban won his 14th SEC Western Division title and 11th at Alabama with the victory. With the win, he tied Bobby Bowden for the most consecutive 10-win seasons of all time. Alabama beat Auburn 24–22 in four overtimes in the Iron Bowl, the first overtime game in the rivalry’s history. The Tide went 11-1 throughout the regular season. Alabama defeated Georgia 41-24 in the SEC Championship game. It’s Saban’s 10th SEC championship, his eighth with Alabama, and the Tide’s 29th overall. Alabama was named to the College Football Playoff for the sixth time in eight seasons the next day.

They were seeded first and faced fourth-seeded Cincinnati in what was the first meeting between the two institutions since 1990. Bryce Young became Saban’s fourth Heisman Trophy winner on December 11. He now has the same number of Heisman Trophy wins as Frank Leahy. Alabama beat Cincinnati 27-6 in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Saban’s seventh title game berth in 13 seasons was clinched with the victory. In the third All-SEC National title game, the Tide faced #3 Georgia in a repeat of the SEC Championship. Saban lost his third title game, falling 33-18 in the CFP National Championship. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a record of 13-2.