Catholic Fun Fact: Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban is a devout Catholic who has frequently spoken about how his faith forms the foundation of his leadership style and personal life. Throughout his legendary coaching career, he consistently prioritized his religious practices, famously organizing Mass for himself and Catholic players before every single game and prioritizing Sunday Mass over major media events. He and his wife, Terry, are long-time active members of St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Saban traditionally arranged for a brief Catholic Mass to be celebrated by local clergy for himself and his players prior to game kickoff. Following the 2020 SEC Championship, when asked if he would watch the televised College Football Playoff selection show, he replied that he would be at church from 11 to 12 and would find out the results afterward. The Sabans funded and helped raise money for a $1.9-million, 4,600-square-foot student youth center at the University of Alabama, officially named the Saban Catholic Student Center when it opened in 2016. In an October 2026 appearance on Theo Von's podcast, Saban explained that he uses prayer to check his ego, stating that he always prays "to be a good person and to serve other people" and asking, "Do you pray to be blessed or do you pray to be a blessing?". Saban has publicly noted that his concept of leadership mirrors his faith, sharing that he views God's mercy not as a stagnant well, but as a channel that should run through people to help others succeed.