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Nick Saban

Nick Saban is an American former college and professional football coach best known for leading the University of Alabama from 2007 to 2023.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nick Saban is an American former college and professional football coach best known for leading the University of Alabama from 2007 to 2023. He won seven NCAA top-division national championships as a head coach, including one at LSU and six at Alabama, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time.

Early life and education

Nick Saban was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1951. Sources identify him as Nicholas Lou Saban Jr., and he later became a major figure in American college football coaching.

Coaching career

Saban coached at the University of Toledo, Michigan State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama and the Miami Dolphins. His long college coaching career is especially associated with Alabama, where he led the program from 2007 to 2023. He also coached the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League.

Championships and honours

Saban won seven national championships as a head coach, including one at LSU and six at Alabama. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.

Retirement and later work

Saban announced his retirement from coaching in January 2024 after the 2023 season. After retirement, he became a college football analyst for ESPN, according to later profiles.

Key facts

  • Saban coached at the University of Toledo, Michigan State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama and the Miami Dolphins.
  • He won seven NCAA Division I top-division national championships as a head coach.
  • His Alabama teams won six national titles between 2009 and 2020.
  • He retired from coaching in January 2024 after the 2023 season.
  • He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
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Canadian context

Saban’s career is widely followed in Canada by fans of NCAA football and American sports media. His coaching legacy is also relevant to Canadian readers through coverage of ESPN, college football, and the broader North American sports scene.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nick Saban?
Nick Saban is an American former football coach best known for his work at Alabama and LSU. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time.
What teams did Nick Saban coach?
He coached at the University of Toledo, Michigan State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama, and the Miami Dolphins.
How many national championships did Nick Saban win?
He won seven NCAA top-division national championships as a head coach: one at LSU and six at Alabama.
When did Nick Saban retire?
Saban announced his retirement from coaching in January 2024 after the 2023 season.
What is Nick Saban’s coaching record?
One source gives his college head coaching record as 297–71–1.
Is Nick Saban in the Hall of Fame?
Yes. The College Football Hall of Fame lists him as a 2025 inductee.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nick-Saban
    Supports: Birth date and place; overall reputation; seven national championships
  2. National Football Foundation / College Football Hall of Fame — https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2560
    Supports: Birth details; coaching stops; career record; Hall of Fame induction
  3. Encyclopedia of Alabama — https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/nick-saban/
    Supports: Alabama tenure; championships; retirement announcement
  4. Suffolk — https://suffolk.com/people/nick-saban/
    Supports: Post-retirement ESPN analyst role