With his family, Saban attended the season opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium in a premium box. After starting the day as an ESPN College Gameday host at Texas A&M for the Aggies’ game against Notre Dame, he took a plane to Tuscaloosa on Saturday.
The six-time national champion from Tuscaloosa will return on Saturday to support Alabama against South Florida. The field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will be dubbed Saban Field in his honor prior to kickoff.
Regarding the impending dedication, DeBoer remarked, “It’s going to be an awesome night.” The fact that the field bears the coach’s name is quite remarkable. It’s one of those situations when you know what’s going to happen and you’re going to have a part in it, but the team is actually not able to participate in the ceremony.
We’re presumably in the midst of preparations for the game and the pregame supper, but I know how much coach Saban would value this recognition for what he’s done here, and I know we all have a great deal of respect for him. I’m going to make sure we keep doing everything we can to turn it into our home and safeguard our area.
The game between South Florida and Alabama is set to begin on Saturday at 6 p.m. ESPN will broadcast the match.
