Former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban’s legendary career is often defined by several remarkable numbers. Whether it be six national championships, nine Southeastern Conference championships or 47 first round NFL draft picks during his tenure leading the Crimson Tide, Saban’s success on the gridiron has set the standard in college football.
But Saban’s emphasis on developing a career away from football has transformed the lives of his former student-athletes and their families.
During Saban’s 17 years at the helm, football student-athletes earned 656 degrees, including 103 master’s degrees.
Saban’s teams also garnered high scores in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate, which covers four-year periods. Since 2016, the football program steadily improved its APR score each year, achieving a program-best 997 in the 2022 and 2024 ratings. In addition, the Crimson Tide ranked in the top three among SEC football programs each year including the No. 1 ranking the past three years.
The academic success of Saban’s tenure will carry over to the start of the Kalen DeBoer era as 13 student-athletes on the 2024 squad have earned their degrees, including team captains Deontae Lawson, Jalen Milroe and Malachi Moore.
In July, UA announced the naming of the field inside Bryany-Denny Stadium in Saban’s honor. The dedication of Saban Field takes place Saturday, Sept. 7, at halftime of the Crimson Tide’s game versus South Florida.