ESPN and Words + Pictures to Launch Docuseries About Nick Saban, a College Football Coaching Legend
As ESPN prepares to broadcast the College Football Playoff National Championship game, the network has announced an upcoming documentary series about Nick Saban, the coach with the most national championships in college football history.
Titled Saban, this six-part series is produced by ESPN and Word + Pictures, directed by Russell Dinallo, and features a production team that includes Connor Schell, Libby Geist, Aaron Cohen, and Alexa Conway, with Tom Rinaldi and Gabe Honig serving as co-executive producer and showrunner. The series will chronicle the career of Saban, who has won seven national championships—one at LSU and six at the University of Alabama.
A press release highlights that “The series will peel back the curtain on the long closely guarded world of Saban,” showcasing hundreds of hours of never-before-seen footage from locker rooms and practice fields, along with various behind-the-scenes moments from his tenures at Alabama, LSU, the Miami Dolphins, and Michigan State. It will also include contemporary interviews with Saban and his wife, Ms. Terry Saban, whose influence has been pivotal in his coaching success.
Former University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and wife Terry are honored with ceremony dedicating the field in his name at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
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Saban retired two years ago from Alabama and currently serves as an ESPN analyst, in addition to other roles as a brand ambassador for companies like Aflac and Vrbo.
“With my coaching days behind me, Ms. Terry and I have been doing a lot of reflection and realized we were ready to tell our story,” Saban stated. “The team at Words + Pictures has encouraged me to really look back not just at my time at Alabama but at every stop along the way—considering not just what happened but the process that made it happen. I interacted with a lot of players and coaches, and I’m happy to see that so many of them have contributed to this docuseries. There’s a lot to tell, and I’m excited to share it all.”
In addition to his national titles, Saban’s programs produced four Heisman Trophy winners and countless NFL stars. ESPN reports that the series will include “more than 30 hours of interviews with Saban, and more than 80 interviews with former players, assistant coaches, rivals, family, friends, and observers,” providing an in-depth look at his unparalleled success and influence in the realm of college football.
College Gameday commentator Nick Saban speaks before the Miami Hurricanes vs Ole Miss Rebels College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.
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“ There will never be another Nick Saban,” said Connor Schell, CEO of Words + Pictures. “He’s a football genius, a singular leader, and a true icon who has done more than anyone to shape the modern game of college football and the culture around it. Working with Coach Saban and Ms. Terry has been a tremendous experience, and we can’t wait to share their story with the world.”
ESPN has yet to announce the premiere date and comprehensive rollout plans for the series.
A teaser for Saban is available for viewers below.
