Nick Saban on his induction into Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame: 'we did something to raise the bar here'

Legendary head coach Nick Saban, who coached at LSU from 2000-2004, was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night. In his five seasons in Baton Rouge, Saban led the Tigers to a 48-16 (28-12) record and a National Championship in 2003.

Saban discussed his journey and impact at LSU Saturday night.

“Our first championship was in 2001 when we won the SEC Championship,” Saban said. “It had been a while since LSU won one but that was the first championship I had ever won. And I think we can apply this to our life. Once you accomplish something, there’s a new horizon. It’s a new standard. And then in 2003 when we won the National Championship, that set a new horizon and a new standard. To me that contributed, and I’m proud of the fact that that contributed to the iconic brand that LSU has and the state of Louisiana has because a lot of people in this country look at this state through the athletic programs at LSU.”

"I was always proud because I felt like we did something to raise the bar here. And the program has been outstanding ever since."

Nick Saban speaking very fondly of @LSUfootball and his time there as Saban is inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Courtesy – LPB. #LSU pic.twitter.com/Vcpo2IInoF

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) June 29, 2025

Nick Saban thanks former LSU AD Skip Bertman for his help

Since winning the 2003 Sugar Bowl and bringing LSU Football its second ever National Championship, the athletic department has blossomed into one of the best in the country. The football program has won two more championships since then (2007 and 2019), the baseball program just won its eighth College World Series and the women’s basketball program just won its first championship in 2023.

“I think we raised the bar and raised the standard, and [former LSU baseball coach] Skip Bertman had a lot to do with it because he was the Athletic Director. And he and I went and raised $15 million in three months to build an academic center so our players could graduate. But that was a part of the commitment to success. But I think that all of us, when we get rid of some of the self-imposed limitations that we have and we accomplished something of significance (maybe small significance), it’s a new horizon. And you do it the next time and it’s another new horizon. And then all of a sudden it becomes the standard for you and a lot of other people.”

“Through transformational leadership and serving other people for their benefit, you can really help and other people have a chance to reach those horizons as well. So with that, I appreciate being recognized here but I’m really, really proud. Every time I see LSU, all the time I coached at Alabama, I know it was a great rivalry but I was always proud because I felt like we did something to raise the bar here. And the program has been outstanding ever since.”