There are dynasties in every era and every sport. Some of the most recognizable ones are the Los Angeles Lakers of the 80s, the Chicago Bulls in the 90s, and the Dallas Cowboys in the 90s. Alabama can arguably be considered in this conversation as well. They have a rich tradition filled with ups and downs, and right now we’re living during one of the ups.
Recognizing The Bear
Paul “Bear” Bryant is the man who put Alabama on the map. Even today fans wear houndstooth as a way of acknowledging one of the greatest coaches in college football history. One quote from the Bear that holds high esteem with the program is, “Set goals – high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working for a common good.” This mindset is what propelled the organization to new heights, and is what keeps them at the top, even today. The Bear won national titles with Alabama in 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, and 1979. Alabama also won 13 SEC Championship games while Bryant was with the Tide. Looking at these numbers, it’s easy to see why Alabama fans strive for greatness. The Bear has always been the standard coaches have had to live up to, and Nick Saban has done so masterfully.
The Tide Of Today
Nick Saban became the head coach in 2007, taking over a team that had been unremarkable for years. In 2008, Saban led the team to its first undefeated regular season in 14 years. That team ended up losing to Florida in the SEC Championship game but for the first time in a while, fans had something to look forward to.
Saban’s third year as the Tide’s head coach proved to be the one fans had been aching for since winning the National Championship in 1992. This team fought hard all season long showing their
grit and determination no matter how tough a game might get. A pivotal point in the season came against rival Tennessee. Terrence Cody, or “Mount Cody”, blocked two field goals during the game, including the potential game winner as the clock ran out. This is when the team finally realized they could overcome any odds that were thrown against them. Alabama went on to beat the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship, advancing them to the BCS National Championship game. Alabama beat the Texas Longhorns, with the final score being 37-21. It was their first National Championship since 1992, and it was only Saban's third year as head coach. At that moment, everyone knew that this wouldn’t be the only championship to come under Saban. This year also brought about an award that had never been won by a player in Alabama history: Mark Ingram had won the Heisman Trophy.
Alabama went on to win the National Championship in both 2011 and 2012. The nation was witnessing history before their eyes. The Tide also won the SEC Championship in 2009, 2012, and 2014. This season Alabama added another SEC Championship with the win over Florida and added another Heisman winner in Derrick Henry as he broke several records over the season, putting the team on his back and carrying them to the College Football Playoff. To make things look even better, Alabama now has 41 active players in the NFL, including 17 first round picks since 2008.
Nick Saban’s Continuous Success
Not many coaches have the kind of success that Nick Saban has had. If you asked anyone, they would say they want a coach that can achieve the kind of success Saban has. A lot of people may hate him, but no one can deny that he is one of the best coaches in college football right now. Many wonder how he continues to produce not only great athletes but also championship caliber teams. One factor is his attitude towards the game.
You always hear him and the players referring to "The Process". The process refers to: 1. Thinking only about right now, not about what will or can happen in the future. 2. Get rid of thoughts that are only cluttering your mind. 3. Focus on HOW to get to the outcome and not the outcome itself. 4. Embrace adversity. 5. Develop mental toughness and discipline.
Saban's players have this pounded in their heads from the moment they decide to play for the Tide. It's one of the key components that has made any Bama team under Saban hard to beat.
Another factor is he knows when to adapt to a different style of play as the game evolves. Many questioned how this team could survive with the hurry up offense becoming the main focus of most teams in college football. Saban brings in coaches that can help push the team in new directions. A prime example of this is when Lane Kiffin came to Alabama. Kiffin brought a new concept to the Bama offense. While it doesn't always work perfectly, he has opened new doors for the team. This season there has been more of a hurry up to the offense, and while the last two games did rely heavily on the run, Jake Coker has been able to keep defenses off balance with his ability to throw the deep ball.
Saban also holds the defense to a high standard. While the offense may be pretty average compared to some teams, the defense is almost always supreme. This season the defense has been ranked in the top five in almost every defense category, including number one on rushing defense. If you look at each year Alabama won the National Championship (2009, 2011, 2012) the defense was always ranked in the top five. That's a huge testament to the discipline and work put in by the defense every year.
Can The 2015 Season Bring Alabama Another Title?
After the Ole Miss loss in September, the media started questioning whether Alabama was in a decline and if Saban was getting too old and left in the dust of the new style of play. Reporters started questioning if the players could stay focused when the program had so much attention on them. This question came after they had a convincing win over Georgia and after the media had already counted the season lost because of losing one game. Saban made it clear that this team played for each other and not the media because if it was up to the media "we're six-foot under already. We're dead and buried and gone, gone." Saban emphasizes they play for each other and the fans and that is what keeps pushing them to better themselves.
Watching every game this season, it's easy to see that Alabama is one of the best teams in the nation and they have another shot at proving it on December 31 against Michigan State. If they are able to secure a win and go on to win the championship game, they will be extending their title as a "dynasty". If they end up losing then questions will arise again about whether this team will ever live up to the four years between 2009 and 2012 where they won three championships. As of right now, they will always be considered one of the most dangerous opponents to face, and this team relishes in that. While all dynasties come to an end, Bama will be striving to let theirs live on for as long as possible.