Nick Saban’s career highlights: Things to know

Seven national titles highlight sterling resume of retiring Alabama coach

Nick Saban on the sideline during the 2022 College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia. (Hyosub Shin / AJC )

By The Associated Press

Jan 11, 2024

Nick Saban’s coaching history includes seven national championships, six of them at Alabama. He is retiring after 28 seasons after winning more than 80% of his games as a head coach.

Career highlights of Nick Saban, the Alabama coach who has reportedly decided to retire.

HEAD COACHING RECORD (Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, Alabama): 297-71-1 (.806 winning percentage, 28 seasons).

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2003 (LSU), 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020 (Alabama).

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Mid-American (1), Southeastern (11).

AP COACH OF THE YEAR: Twice (2003, 2008).

NFL: Miami Dolphins (head coach 2005-06, 15-17 record); Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator (1991-94).

FIRST-ROUND NFL PICKS COACHED (at Alabama, through 2023): 44.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban

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Here's a look at some photos of Alabama coach Nick Saban through the lenses of AJC photographers over the years. Curtis Compton captured this image of Saban and Washington coach Chris Petersen with Andrew Young (seated left) and Dr. C.T. Vivian in December of 2016. The photo was taken at the conclusion of a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl tour of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in which the civil rights leaders spoke to the coaches and players from both teams.

Brant Sanderlin captured this image of Nick Saban during the Chick -fil-A Peach Bowl Challenge at Reynolds Plantation in 2015.

Jason Getz captured this image of Nick Saban and Georgia coach Mark Richt before the teams met in Tuscaloosa in 2007. It was Saban's first season at Alabama and Georgia won the game 26-23 in overtime on Matthew Stafford's TD pass to Mikey Henderson.

Brant Sanderlin captured this image of Nick Saban and Mark Richt at the coaches luncheon in Atlanta prior to the 2012 SEC championship game.

Alyssa Pointer's photo of Nick Saban as he prepares to meet the media prior to the College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia in January of 2018.

Curtis Compton captured this image of Nick Saban as he waited his turn before meeting the media during 2022 SEC media days gathering in Atlanta.

Hyosub Shin captured this image of Nick Saban celebrating with his team after its win over Virginia Tech at the Georgia Dome in 2013.

Hyosub Shin captured the moment in which Nick Saban celebrated after his team's stunning 26-23 victory over Georgia in the 2018 College Football Playoff championship game.

Hyosub Shin's photo of Alabama coach Nick Saban and Georgia coach Kirby Smart prior to the 2018 SEC championship game.

Curtis Compton's photo of Alabama coach Nick Saban exiting the plane after his team's arrival in Indianapolis for the 2022 College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia.

Hyosub Shin's photo of Nick Saban and wife Terry prior to the 2022 College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia.

Curtis Compton's photo of Nick Saban on the sideline during the 2022 College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia.

Hyosub Shin's photo of Nick Saban on the sideline during the 2022 College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia.

Brant Sanderlin's photo of Alabama coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart during the 2015 SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome.

Brant Sanderlin's photo of Alabama coach Nick Saban waving to the crowd after winning the 2015 SEC championship at the Georgia Dome.

Brant Sanderlin's photo from the Georgia-Alabama game in Athens in 2015. Mark Richt and Nick Saban on the field prior to the game. Alabama defeated Georgia 38-10.

Jason Getz's photo of Alabama coach Nick Saban and Georgia coach Kirby Smart prior to the 2023 SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Curtis Compton's photo of Alabama coach Nick Saban during SEC media days in 2018.

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Credit: AJC file photo/Curtis Compton

Here's a look at some photos of Alabama coach Nick Saban through the lenses of AJC photographers over the years. Curtis Compton captured this image of Saban and Washington coach Chris Petersen with Andrew Young (seated left) and Dr. C.T. Vivian in December of 2016. The photo was taken at the conclusion of a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl tour of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in which the civil rights leaders spoke to the coaches and players from both teams.

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Nick Saban’s career highlights: Things to know

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