TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban made Alabama's traditional pregame «Walk of Champions» through throngs of cheering fans one more time.
This time the coach who led the Crimson Tide to six national championships in 17 seasons went through doors underneath a sign declaring it «Saban Field.» He also made the short stroll with wife Terry and grandson James instead of his players and coaches.
Alabama officially unveiled a sign bearing the new name «Nick Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium» hours before the fourth-ranked Tide hosted South Florida, with an on-field celebration following at halftime. «This is a great honor to have the field named after the legacy that we've been able to create here,» Saban told the gathered fans, wearing his familiar gray suit and crimson tie. «But I want this legacy to represent every player who played, who worked hard, every coach who helped those players develop, our administration who set a foundation where we had a chance to be successful.» Successful is an understatement.
Saban, who announced his retirement from coaching in January, led Alabama to a 206-29 on-the-field record and nine SEC titles, holding the No.