The University of Alabama made headlines last week when the news broke that the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium would be named after legendary and now retired coach Nick Saban to make the full name \u201cSaban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the most part, the reaction was fairly positive. But some pointed out the field alone is not enough of a tribute to the possibly best coach ever and Saban\u2019s name should be enshrined in the name of the stadium.<\/p>\n
Count Paul Finebaum in that group.<\/p>\n
This morning on The Opening Kickoff, Finebaum said declining to change the stadium name to include Saban is \u201can insult\u201d and naming just the field for him is not a fitting tribute.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t understand why the University of Alabama is so stubborn here. I don\u2019t really think this is that great of a tribute to Saban, I think it\u2019s somewhat of an insult to put him below [Bear] Bryant and [George] Denny,\u201d Finebaum said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDenny has Denny Chimes, it may be the most iconic thing on the Alabama campus \u2026 Naming a field after the greatest coach in college football is an insult \u2026. Make a statement Alabama! Quit doing things halfway. You have Nick Saban, the greatest coach in college football. You have Bear Bryant, who was the greatest coach of his era, take advantage of it! In sports media I have never once heard anyone refer to the field, it\u2019s about the stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finebaum is not far off in arguing it would be a much bigger statement to change the stadium name to include Saban, whether that means taking Denny\u2019s name off it or not. While it is an honor for the field to be named after Saban, it may not be an honor truly fitting of the best college football coach to have ever lived.<\/p>\n
\u201cBryant-Saban Stadium\u201d presented an opportunity for Alabama to make a massive statement, but they declined to do so.<\/p>\n
Finebaum\u2019s interview can be heard here and all of our on-air content can be heard on WNSP NOW<\/a>:<\/p>\n https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/23Vqf0RCNEAfRDR7vu3lS7<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"