3 times Washington football has faced Nick Saban

Nick Saban, the legendary head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, has decided to hang up his coaching hat after an illustrious career spanning nearly 50 years in both college and professional football. Saban's impact on the sport is immeasurable, and his legacy will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come.

Saban's coaching journey began in 1973, and he leaves behind a trail of success that few can match. His tenure with Alabama, which started in 2007, is particularly noteworthy. Over the years, Saban transformed the Crimson Tide into a football powerhouse, and has won an impressive seven national championships during his career— six with Alabama. His last season concluded with a bittersweet note as Alabama fell to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

As Nick Saban bids farewell to the sidelines, his contributions to the sport will resonate for years to come. His legacy is etched in the annals of college football history, leaving an indelible mark on the game and inspiring countless aspiring coaches to follow in his footsteps.

The Huskies have crossed paths with Saban three times during his coaching odyssey and have experienced both the thrill of victory and the sting of defeat.

3 times Washington football has faced Nick Saban

1977 - DB coach at Syracuse

The first time that the Huskies played against Saban was in 1977. Saban wasn’t a head coach yet but was rather the defensive backs coach at Syracuse at the time. Washington suffered a narrow 22-20 loss.

1997 - Head Coach at Michigan State

The Huskies’ only victory over Saban was in 1997 when Saban was the head coach at Michigan State. The two teams clashed in Hawaii in the Aloha Bowl with the Huskies coming out on top, 51-23.

2016 - Head Coach at Alabama

The final clash was in 2016 during the College Football Playoff, where the No. 4 Huskies faced Saban’s No. 1 Alabama squad. The Huskies fell short, succumbing to a 24-7 defeat.