Alabama fans witnessed him make a game-changing decision in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship matchup (2017 season) versus Georgia, but this season has been Nick Saban’s best coaching job.
He returned Kevin Steele for a fourth stint as a defensive coach, hired Tommy Rees to a marquee program to run the Crimson Tide’s offense, and replaced a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with one who has Alabama in the CFP. Saban, 72, is pursing an eighth national championship of his coaching tenure. He is one national title away from surpassing former Alabama head coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant for most in Tide football history. Saban is preparing his team to face Michigan in the Rose Bowl; however, he is a finalist for a few Coach of the Year honors — including Paul Bear Bryant and Eddie Robinson honors.
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He is also a semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award. On Monday, Saban earned the nod as a finalist for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year honor. The award goes to the FBS Division I head football coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. It is presented by the Peach Bowl Committee and has been awarded since 1976.
🔹 FINALIST: @thedoddtrophy Coach of the Year 🔹#RollTide pic.twitter.com/LVVdSWk9ma
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 18, 2023
Saban first won the award in 2014 as Alabama’s head coach.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
