Mal Moore knew what he was doing as the University of Alabama’s athletics director when he hired Nick Saban to be the head coach of the Crimson Tide on Jan. 3, 2007.
Moore’s vision led to his Alma mater becoming the gold standard of college football for 17 years.
He is no longer with us, but Moore is somewhere smiling after Friday’s news concerning the name change at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Saban knew he would be successful, but turning Alabama football into a six-time national champion, nine-time Southeastern Conference Champion, and having more accolades than anyone could count he did not see coming. He produced four Heisman Memorial Trophy winners, several All-Americans and All-SEC players, 100-plus players in the NFL Draft (including 47 first-round picks), and more.
RELATED: UA board of trustees to consider ‘approving’ a name at Bryant-Denny Stadium
Saban needed Alabama and the program needed him.
The Board of Trustees’ Honorary degrees and recognition committee officially approved the name change of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Saban family has a piece of something forever that it helped make legendary.
Alabama football shared a video on X about it honoring Saban with the dedication on September 7.
Join us as we honor legendary head coach Nick Saban with the dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 7!
🔗 https://t.co/4Ic1pgQWDN#RollTide | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/utRajeI542
— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) July 19, 2024
Saban deserves it for all he has done for the institution.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.