In a crowning moment for college football, Nick Saban, the legendary architect of Alabama’s Crimson Tide dynasty, has been honored as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2025. This accolade doesn’t just celebrate a career; it immortalizes a man who redefined excellence in the sport, turning Tuscaloosa into a gridiron empire and leaving an indelible mark on athletics worldwide.
Let’s rewind to 2007, when Saban arrived at Alabama with a steely gaze and a playbook that would reshape college football. Over 17 seasons, he led the Crimson Tide to six national championships, eight SEC titles, and a staggering 183-25 record—a .880 winning percentage that silences doubters. His teams weren’t just good; they were surgical, blending ferocious defense, disciplined offense, and a relentless work ethic dubbed “The Process.” Saban didn’t coach games; he engineered dynasties. His 2011 and 2012 national title teams, which allowed a combined 15.8 points per game, remain benchmarks of defensive dominance.
But TIME’s recognition isn’t about trophies alone—it’s about influence. Saban’s Process, a philosophy of focusing on preparation over outcome, has transcended football. It’s taught in boardrooms, preached in locker rooms, and studied by coaches from high school to the NFL. Bill Belichick, his former assistant, once called him “the best coach in football, period.” Saban’s meticulous attention to detail—recruiting, film study, player development—set a standard. He didn’t just produce NFL stars like Derrick Henry, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jalen Hurts; he molded men, with 47 first-round draft picks and countless graduates who credit his life lessons.
Beyond the field, Saban’s impact is seismic. Through the Nick’s Kids Foundation, he and his wife, Terry, have donated millions to children’s causes, building homes, schools, and hope across Alabama. TIME highlights his “ability to wield influence for good,” noting how the foundation has funded over 50 charities since 1998. When tornadoes ravaged Tuscaloosa in 2011, the Sabans didn’t just write checks—they led recovery efforts, turning personal commitment into community revival. Posts on X still buzz with fans sharing photos of Saban at charity events, captioned with “Roll Tide” and heart emojis.
Saban’s legacy is also in the moments that define Alabama football. The 2009 BCS Championship, where he ended a 17-year title drought for the Tide. The 2017 national title game, where he made the gutsiest call of his career, subbing in freshman Tua Tagovailoa at halftime to spark a comeback against Georgia. Or the 2020 season, navigating a pandemic to deliver an undefeated championship run. These aren’t just wins; they’re folklore, replayed in bars from Mobile to Montgomery, where fans still debate whether Saban’s scowl could intimidate a hurricane.
At 73, retired since 2024, Saban’s influence endures. As an ESPN analyst, his breakdowns on College GameDay are masterclasses, dissecting plays with the same precision he brought to sidelines. His Saban Center, a STEM and arts hub in Tuscaloosa, is shaping future generations. And his coaching tree—Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian—carries his DNA across college football. TIME places him alongside icons like Simone Biles and Patrick Mahomes, but Saban stands apart: a coach who turned a program into a juggernaut, a state into a powerhouse, and a philosophy into a way of life.
Critics might point to his demanding style or the occasional sideline outburst, but even they can’t deny the results. Alabama’s 15 straight top-10 recruiting classes under Saban didn’t happen by chance; they were built on his vision. Fans on X still share clips of his press conference zingers, like when he snapped, “I’m not gonna be the Alabama coach,” only to become its savior. His retirement didn’t dim his aura—it amplified it. The sports world watches, listens, learns.
As Alabama faithful hoist their “Roll Tide” banners, Saban’s TIME 100 nod is a reminder: his Process isn’t just a playbook; it’s a legacy. From national titles to lives changed, Nick Saban didn’t just coach football—he redefined what winning means. And that, more than any trophy, is why his influence will echo for generations.
