Saban Inducted Into West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame: A Celebration of Athletic Excellence!

WHEELING, W.Va. — Nick Saban, one of the most celebrated college football coaches, is set to be inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Born in Fairmont, Saban graduated from Monongah High School and Kent State University. He will be honored by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association at the 78th annual Victory Awards Dinner on May 4, held at the Bridgeport Convention Center.

Doug Huff, the secretary-treasurer of the WVSWA, praised Saban as “not only one of the greatest college football coaches in history, but also a top sports ambassador for the state.”

Saban retired in 2024, boasting a record that stands out among West Virginia natives. He achieved remarkable success, including seven national championships—six with Alabama and one with LSU. He became the only coach to secure national titles at two different schools since the AP Poll began in 1936, and his impact on college football has been profound.

Over 28 seasons, Saban led his teams to an impressive 292 wins against 71 losses. His time at Alabama (2000-2023) solidified his legacy, with the Crimson Tide reaching nine BCS/CFP championship games, winning six of them. His overall record at Alabama was 201 wins to just 29 losses, yielding an 87.4% win rate and 15 seasons of being ranked No. 1 by the AP.

Throughout his career, Saban never posted a losing season. He earned more than 20 Coach of the Year awards, including the prestigious Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year on two occasions. His coaching talent produced 66 First Team All-Americans and four Heisman Trophy winners.

Saban’s coaching career began at Toledo in 1990, where he had an impressive 9-2 record. He then moved to Michigan State from 1995 to 1999, leading the Spartans to a strong finish with a No. 7 national ranking in 1999. His success continued at LSU (2000-2004), where he helped win the 2003 BCS National Championship, the first for the Tigers in 45 years.

Saban also had a brief stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and held assistant coaching positions with several teams. His college coaching began after he played as a safety at Kent State, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Now, Saban shares his expertise as an analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay. His impact goes beyond the field. He established the Nick’s Kids Foundation, which has donated over $13 million to various charities and supported numerous community projects.

As he continues to influence the sport and his community, Nick Saban’s legacy is one of excellence, leadership, and compassion.

For more about Nick Saban and his contributions, check out the West Virginia Sports Writers Association website.