Nick Saban is the first inductee of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class.

The ESPN "College GameDay" crew surprised him with the announcement during Friday's pregame show for the College Football Playoff matchup between Ohio State and Texas at the Cotton Bowl.

Saban's election to the Hall of Fame was a no-brainer. He won six national championships during his 17 years at Alabama and a seventh at LSU, where he coached five seasons. Saban compiled a 201–29 record in Tuscaloosa, winning nine SEC titles. He retired from coaching after last season.

Overall, Saban finished with a 297–71-1 record as a college coach in stints at Toledo (9–2), Michigan State (34–24–1), LSU (48–16) and Alabama.

Saban, 74, is the fifth Alabama coach to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Gene Stallings, Frank Thomas and Wallace Wade.