Finebaum: Naming Alabama's Field After Nick Saban an 'Insult' to the Coach
![Finebaum: Naming Alabama's Field After Nick Saban an 'Insult' to the Coach](https://thechronicle.cc/uploads/images/202407/image_750x_66a31a0b8a99f.jpg)
Paul Finebaum believes the University of Alabama missed a significant opportunity to honor former football coach Nick Saban properly this upcoming season.
“Naming a field after the greatest coach in college football is an insult,” Finebaum stated during his weekly appearance on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 Thursday.
The SEC Network analyst described the decision to name the field "Saban Field" as "underwhelming."
“It shouldn’t be Nick Saban Field,” Finebaum argued. “It should be Bryant-Saban Stadium.”
Finebaum emphasized that no one refers to other notable fields by their dedicated names, such as Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, or Vince Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.
“Fields are worthless,” Finebaum commented. “... That is window dressing.
“For the life of me, I don’t understand why the University of Alabama is so stubborn. I don’t think this is that great a tribute to Saban. I think it is somewhat of an insult to put him below (Paul) Bryant and (George) Denny. Denny has Denny Chimes. It may be the most iconic thing on the Alabama campus.”
According to Finebaum, Alabama missed a chance to send a strong message.
“By putting both Bryant’s and Saban’s names on the stadium, you’re telling the world we had the two greatest football coaches in the history of college football at one school.”