Six-Part ESPN Docuseries To Spotlight Career, Influence Of Nick Saban

TUSCALOOSA, AL — ESPN announced Monday that it has partnered with Words + Pictures on a six-part ESPN Original docuseries that will chronicle the life, career and influence of legendary college football coach Nick Saban.

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"Saban" will be directed by Russell Dinallo and produced by Words + Pictures’ Connor Schell, Libby Geist, Aaron Cohen and Alexa Conway, along with ESPN journalist Tom Rinaldi.

ESPN says the series will trace Saban's path to becoming the most successful figure in college football history, focusing on his 17 seasons at Alabama, where he won six national championship.

According to ESPN, the series will feature hundreds of hours of never-before-seen footage from locker rooms, practice fields and behind-the-scenes moments throughout Saban’s career, including stops at Alabama, LSU, the Miami Dolphins and Michigan State.

The project will also include extensive present-day interviews with Saban and his wife, Terry Saban, whose influence and leadership played a significant role in his success.

“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 said in a statement. “The team at Words + Pictures has encouraged me to really look back not just at my time at Alabama, but every stop along the way — and not just reflect on what happened but consider the process which made it happen.”

The series will also explore “The Process,” Saban’s trademark approach to coaching and leadership, which emphasized discipline, preparation and attention to detail. His now-famous philosophy helped produce four Heisman Trophy winners, numerous NFL players and a standard of sustained excellence.

“There will never be another Nick Saban,” Schell said. “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.”

The project will include more than 30 hours of interviews with Saban and more than 80 interviews with former players, assistant coaches, rivals, family members and longtime observers of the game.

ESPN said additional details, including the premiere date and episode rollout, will be announced at a later time.

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