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ESPN Premieres Six-Part Docuseries on Nick Saban, Premiering Oct. 8
When the whistle blows, a legacy is born. On Thursday, Oct. 8, ESPN will unveil Saban, a six‑part original docuseries that pulls back the curtain on the career of one of college football’s most iconic coaches.
ESPN and its production partner Words + Pictures have announced the series, which will debut on television at 6 p.m. ET. The first episode, “The Process,” will air that evening, and all six episodes will be available immediately on the ESPN App for streaming.
The program charts Nick Saban’s rise from his early stops at Toledo and Michigan State to the heights of LSU, the Miami Dolphins, and the 17‑season run that made Alabama the national championship powerhouse it is today. It follows the coaching philosophy that earned him the nickname “The Process,” and it offers hundreds of hours of footage that has never been broadcast – locker‑room conversations, practice drills, and behind‑the‑scenes moments that fans have never seen.
More than 70 people connected to Saban appear in the series, including Bill Belichick, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, Kirby Smart, Tim Tebow, Jalen Hurts, and Tua Tagovailoa. Saban and his wife, Miss Terry Saban, also participate in extensive new interviews that give personal insight into the coach’s life and career.
Saban said the project “gives me and Miss Terry a chance to reflect on my career from a broader perspective.” ESPN’s senior vice president of original content, Brian Lockhart, described the series as offering “an unusual level of access to Coach Saban, Miss Terry and the people who know him best, paired with rare footage that offers a new perspective on his remarkable journey.” Words + Pictures CEO Connor Schell called Saban “a football genius, a singular leader, and a true icon.”
The six episodes will air weekly throughout October and early November:
Episode 1, “The Process” – Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. ET Episode 2, “Death Valley” – Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. ET Episode 3, “Black Diamonds” – Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. ET Episode 4, “Home” – Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. ET Episode 5, “The Mountain” – Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. ET Episode 6, “Pride” – Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. ET
All episodes will also be available on the ESPN App at launch, allowing viewers who prefer streaming to watch the entire series without waiting for the weekly television broadcasts.
ESPN’s streaming service, ESPN Unlimited, begins at $31.99 per month, while the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle is available for $35.99 per month. Cord‑cutters can access the series through the ESPN App, which carries live sports, original programming and the full docuseries.
The docuseries arrives at a time when Saban’s legacy is still a topic of discussion among fans, analysts and former players. His record of six national championships at Alabama, a 17‑season tenure, and a coaching tree that has produced numerous NFL and college coaches makes the series a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of modern college football. By combining rare footage with interviews from a wide range of voices, the series offers a comprehensive look at the man who has shaped the sport.
Saban will run through Nov. 5, with all episodes available for streaming from the premiere date. The series provides unprecedented access to one of the sport’s most influential figures and will be available to viewers on ESPN’s television network and the ESPN App.
ESPN and its production partner Words + Pictures have announced the series, which will debut on television at 6 p.m. ET. The first episode, “The Process,” will air that evening, and all six episodes will be available immediately on the ESPN App for streaming.
The program charts Nick Saban’s rise from his early stops at Toledo and Michigan State to the heights of LSU, the Miami Dolphins, and the 17‑season run that made Alabama the national championship powerhouse it is today. It follows the coaching philosophy that earned him the nickname “The Process,” and it offers hundreds of hours of footage that has never been broadcast – locker‑room conversations, practice drills, and behind‑the‑scenes moments that fans have never seen.
More than 70 people connected to Saban appear in the series, including Bill Belichick, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, Kirby Smart, Tim Tebow, Jalen Hurts, and Tua Tagovailoa. Saban and his wife, Miss Terry Saban, also participate in extensive new interviews that give personal insight into the coach’s life and career.
Saban said the project “gives me and Miss Terry a chance to reflect on my career from a broader perspective.” ESPN’s senior vice president of original content, Brian Lockhart, described the series as offering “an unusual level of access to Coach Saban, Miss Terry and the people who know him best, paired with rare footage that offers a new perspective on his remarkable journey.” Words + Pictures CEO Connor Schell called Saban “a football genius, a singular leader, and a true icon.”
The six episodes will air weekly throughout October and early November:
Episode 1, “The Process” – Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. ET Episode 2, “Death Valley” – Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. ET Episode 3, “Black Diamonds” – Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. ET Episode 4, “Home” – Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. ET Episode 5, “The Mountain” – Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. ET Episode 6, “Pride” – Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. ET
All episodes will also be available on the ESPN App at launch, allowing viewers who prefer streaming to watch the entire series without waiting for the weekly television broadcasts.
ESPN’s streaming service, ESPN Unlimited, begins at $31.99 per month, while the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle is available for $35.99 per month. Cord‑cutters can access the series through the ESPN App, which carries live sports, original programming and the full docuseries.
The docuseries arrives at a time when Saban’s legacy is still a topic of discussion among fans, analysts and former players. His record of six national championships at Alabama, a 17‑season tenure, and a coaching tree that has produced numerous NFL and college coaches makes the series a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of modern college football. By combining rare footage with interviews from a wide range of voices, the series offers a comprehensive look at the man who has shaped the sport.
Saban will run through Nov. 5, with all episodes available for streaming from the premiere date. The series provides unprecedented access to one of the sport’s most influential figures and will be available to viewers on ESPN’s television network and the ESPN App.
