Nick Saban RETURNING to Coach College Football in Big 12 at Home in West Virginia, Rumor Alludes

Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

Nick Saban’s strong West Virginia roots have played a significant role in shaping his legendary career as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. Born and raised in Fairmont, West Virginia, Saban grew up in a small coal-mining town, where the values of hard work, discipline, and toughness were deeply ingrained in him. His father, Nick Saban Sr., was a key figure in his life, running a local service station and coaching youth sports. From a young age, Saban was exposed to the importance of leadership and accountability, lessons that would guide him throughout his career.

Saban attended Monongah High School, where he excelled in both football and basketball, demonstrating the competitive spirit that would later define his coaching philosophy. After high school, he went on to play defensive back at Kent State University under coach Don James, whose disciplined, detail-oriented approach greatly influenced Saban’s own coaching style. Despite leaving West Virginia to pursue a career in football, Saban has always carried the lessons of his home state with him.

His West Virginia roots are evident in the way he approaches coaching and leadership. Known for his tireless work ethic, no-nonsense attitude, and commitment to building disciplined, resilient teams, Saban’s success at Alabama and other stops in his career reflects the blue-collar values he grew up with in West Virginia. Even after reaching the pinnacle of college football, Saban frequently speaks about the impact his upbringing had on his career, crediting his small-town background with instilling in him the qualities that have driven his unparalleled success on the sidelines.