Nick Saban reveals what he enjoys the most about building homes for Nick's Kids charity
To his opponents, Alabama football head coach Nick Saban is villain. To his community, he’s a hero.
On Friday, Saban unveiled a new home created by Habitats for Humanity and funded by the Nick’s Kids Foundation. Habitats for Humanity is a nonprofit that focuses on building or redesigning houses for people in need. This is the 20th house in Tuscaloosa funded by Saban.
The 71-year-old believes he gets as much out of the experience as the new residents.
“The part I like the best is doing something with the players. It really is a good thing for me from a relationship standpoint, having players see me and do things with them other than football,” Saban said on Friday. “Whether it’s digging a hole or painting a wall, I think sharing that is an important experience for me.”
As mentioned above, this isn’t Saban’s first dive into philanthropy. The Saban family founded the Nick’s Kids Foundation in 1998, following the death of Nick Saban Sr. In 2021, the foundation raised over $1.3 million.
This home, in particular, was built to commemorate Alabama’s dominant 45-20 win over Kansas State in the 2022 Sugar Bowl. Saban’s partnership with Houses for Humanity began in 2011, when Tuscaloosa was hit by a devastating tornado.
Saban funded the construction of 13 houses, representing Alabama’s 13 championships. Saban has funded a new home for every title since. He isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
“The last time I painted and I got it all over me,” Saban said with a laugh.
The work Saban does is apparent in more than a stain on his clothes. The 71-year-old head coach has passed down his philosophy on charity to former Crimson Tide Stars such as Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa, who each run their own nonprofit organizations.
“It’s important for the players to understand the value of community service and giving back,” Saban said. “That’s the kind of example we want to set and that’s the kind of feeling that we want to have our players experience when they are involved in something like this so maybe it will encourage them to help people in the future, as well.”