Alabama Sends Clear Message to Nick Saban After Major Career Accomplishment
Nick Saban has accomplished just about everything in the world of college football. At 73, his journey in the sport dates back to his playing days in 1970. The only time he stepped away from college football was during a brief stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and as an assistant for the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers in the NFL.
Saban retired from coaching on Jan. 10, 2024, making way for Kalen DeBoer to take over as head coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide. But retirement didn't keep Saban on the sidelines for long. He quickly joined ESPN's "College GameDay," stepping into a new role as a college football analyst.
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And now, he has earned an award he had never won before.
Alabama football shared the news on its official social media channels:
"Leadership, Legacy, and now… an Emmy. "
Saban was honored with the 2025 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent. It's the first Sports Emmy of his career and only the second time an ESPN talent has received the award in that category.
While he's often seen rolling his eyes at fellow commentator Pat McAfee on set, Saban has offered sharp, insightful commentary on the game he helped define. Most recently, he has been linked to President Donald Trump as a potential co-chair for a proposed commission on the future of college athletics.
Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Nick Saban coached Alabama to 201 wins and notched 292 total victories in his head coaching career. Under his leadership, Alabama never lost more than two games in any of his final 13 seasons. He captured seven national championships, with his last coming in 2020.
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Saban was twice named Walter Camp Coach of the Year and won the Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year award three times. In 2024, he received the ESPY Icon Award and has since been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Saban's legacy goes beyond football. His Nick's Kids Foundation has donated over $13 million to more than 150 charities. Following a devastating tornado in Tuscaloosa, he helped rebuild 22 homes with Habitat for Humanity. He has also made several $1 million donations to support first-generation college scholarships, Alabama athletics and St. Francis Catholic Church.
His latest project, the Saban Center, will serve as home to a STEM Discovery Center, the Alabama STEM Hub and the Tuscaloosa Children's Theater, continuing his commitment to education and youth development.
Related: $1.3 Million Quarterback Makes Major NIL Move Before Freshman Season at Alabama
Related: Urban Meyer Calls for Rule That Would Get Michigan Coach Fired
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