Alabama head coach Nick Saban won his sixth national championship this year. The 26-23 victory over Georgia tied Saban with former Alabama coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant for the most national championships of any major college football coach. TideSports is looking back at the careers and legacies of both coaches with special coverage. You can view Paul “Bear” Bryant’s six national championships here.
2003 (LSU)
Overall record: 13-1
Conference record: 7-1
Path to the championship: The Tigers were on the radar to start the year but vaulted into the national championship discussion after beating No. 7 Georgia 17-10 to open SEC play. There was a loss to Florida, but LSU cruised through much of the conference schedule before meeting Georgia again in the SEC Championship Game. Jimbo Fisher’s offense led the way as the Tigers defeated Georgia 34-13 in the rematch to send LSU on to the BCS title game against Oklahoma.
Bump in the road: The only loss came in a brutal game against Florida in October. Freshman quarterback Chris Leak threw for two UF touchdowns, led two more field goal drives and didn’t turn the ball over. Nick Saban’s defense got six sacks but couldn’t rattle Florida. LSU’s offense had three turnovers and struggled to sustain anything. That sealed the Tigers’ fate.
Biggest win along the way: LSU had to go through Eli Manning and Ole Miss to clinch the SEC West. The Rebels were 6-0 in the conference when the Tigers went to Oxford, Miss., in November. Manning completed just 16 of his 36 passes with one touchdown as LSU’s defense held firm. Ole Miss missed a potential game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter, and LSU held on for a 17-14 victory.
Championship game: Heisman Trophy winner Jason White led Oklahoma into New Orleans for the championship game. He and the Sooners were stopped cold, finishing with just 154 total yards. White was sacked five times and threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Marcus Spears. LSU’s offense leaned on running back Justin Vincent, who finished with 117 yards and a touchdown in a 21-14 win.
Key stat: The defense was ferocious, allowing 67 rushing yards per game with 44 sacks and 33 turnovers forced while allowing just 24 percent of third downs to be converted.
Results
Louisiana-Monroe W 49-7
at Arizona W 59-13
Western Illinois W 35-7
Georgia W 17-10
at Mississippi State W 41-6
Florida L 7-19
at South Carolina W 33-7
Auburn W 31-7
Louisiana Tech W 49-10
at Alabama W 27-3
at Ole Miss W 17-14
Arkansas W 55-24
Georgia W 34-13*
Oklahoma W 21-14#
*SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#BCS Championship Game, New Orleans
Captains: Michael Clayton, Chad Lavalais, Matt Mauck, Rodney Reed
Assistant coaches: Kirk Doll (linebackers/special teams coordinator), Derrick Dooley (running backs), Jimbo Fisher (quarterbacks/offensive coordinator), Stan Hixon (wide receivers), Travis Jones (defensive line), Will Muschamp (linebackers/defensive coordinator), Stacy Searels (offensive line), Lance Thompson (tight ends), Tim Walton (defensive backs)
Leading rusher: Justin Vincent, 1,001 yards and 10 touchdowns on 154 carries
Leading passer: Matt Mauck, 229 of 358 for 2,825 yards with 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions
Leading receiver: Michael Clayton, 1,079 yards and 10 touchdowns on 78 receptions
Leading tackler: LaRon Landry, 80
Top player awards: Chad Lavalais, SEC Defensive Player of the Year
Recognized by: Bowl Championship Series, coaches poll; Southern Cal (12-1) was recognized by the Associated Press
2009
Overall record: 14-0
Conference record: 8-0
Path to the championship: Alabama had established itself the year before but lost its final two games. A 10-point win over Virginia Tech was a nice start, but didn’t signal what was to come: Alabama didn’t have anything resembling a close game until it met Tennessee in October, and cruised into the Iron Bowl undefeated. UA came from behind to beat Auburn and closed out in dominant fashion to run the table with a perfect record.
Bump in the road: Alabama survived Tennessee when Terrence Cody blocked a field goal attempt as time expired – Cody’s second blocked kick of the game – to preserve a two-point victory.
Biggest win along the way: Alabama put together a drive for the ages to come from behind for victory at Auburn, driving more than seven minutes to cover 79 yards on 15 plays, capped by Greg McElroy’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Roy Upchurch for the 26-21 victory.
Championship game: The Crimson Tide knocked Texas quarterback Colt McCoy out of the game early, built a big lead, weathered a Longhorn rally and put away an historic 37-21 victory at the Rose Bowl. UA’s defense produced five turnovers.
Key stat: Alabama’s 24 interceptions ranked second nationally. Mark Barron had seven to lead UA.
Results
Virginia Tech W 34-24*
Florida International W 40-14
North Texas W 53-7
Arkansas W 35-7
at Kentucky W 38-20
at Ole Miss W 22-3
South Carolina W 20-6
Tennessee W 12-10
LSU W 24-15
at Mississippi State W 31-3
Chattanooga W 45-0
at Auburn W 26-21
Florida W 32-13+
Texas W 37-21#
*Atlanta
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#BCS National Championship Game, Pasadena, Calif.
Captains: Javier Arenas, Mike Johnson, Rolando McClain
Assistant coaches: Burton Burns (associate head coach/running backs), Curt Cignetti (receivers), Bo Davis (defensive line), Jim McElwain (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Joe Pendry (assistant head coach/offensive line), Kirby Smart (defensive coordinator/safeties), Sal Sunseri (assistant head coach/linebackers), Bobby Williams (tight ends/special teams), James Willis (associate head coach/outside linebackers), Scott Cochran (strength and conditioning)
Leading rusher: Mark Ingram, 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns on 271 carries
Leading passer: Greg McElroy, 198 of 325 for 2,508 yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions
Leading receiver: Julio Jones, 596 yards and four touchdowns on 43 receptions
Leading tackler: Rolando McClain, 105
Top player awards: Mark Ingram, Heisman Trophy; Rolando McClain, Butkus Award and Jack Lambert Award
Recognized by: Bowl Championship Series, Associated Press, coaches poll, others (consensus)
2011
Overall record: 12-1
Conference record: 7-1
Path to the championship: After losing to LSU in November, an Alabama team that had otherwise cruised through the season needed some help. In succession, Oklahoma State was upset by Iowa State, Stanford lost to Oregon and Oregon promptly lost to Southern Cal. Those results cleared the path for an Alabama-LSU rematch, even though UA didn’t win the SEC West and sat out the SEC Championship Game.
Bump in the road: In a contest billed as the Game of the Century, LSU defeated Alabama 9-6 in overtime at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama missed four field goal tries in a battle of defensive behemoths.
Biggest win along the way: The Crimson Tide traveled to No. 12 Florida and held the Gators to 222 total yards – just 15 of them on the ground – in a 38-12 romp.
Championship game: Alabama won the rematch with LSU at the Sugar Bowl. The Tigers only drove into UA territory once and were held to 92 total yards, while Alabama kicker Jeremy Shelley made five field goals. Trent Richardson broke loose for a touchdown run in the final minutes to ice the game.
Key stat: Alabama led the nation in scoring defense (8.2 points per game), rushing defense (72.15 yards per game), pass defense (115.5 yards per game) and total defense (183.6 yards per game).
Results
Kent State W 48-7
at Penn State W 27-11
North Texas W 41-0
Arkansas W 38-14
at Florida W 38-10
Vanderbilt W 34-0
at Ole Miss W 52-7
Tennessee W 37-6
LSU L 9-6 OT
at Mississippi State W 24-7
Georgia Southern W 45-21
at Auburn W 42-14
LSU W 21-0*
*BCS National Championship Game, New Orleans
Captains: Mark Barron, Dont’a Hightower, Trent Richardson
Assistant coaches: Burton Burns (associate head coach/running backs), Mike Groh (receivers), Jim McElwain (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jeremy Pruitt (safeties), Chris Rumph (defensive line), Kirby Smart (defensive coordinator/linebackers), Jeff Stoutland (offensive line), Sal Sunseri (assistant head coach/linebackers), Bobby Williams (tight ends/special teams), Scott Cochran (strength and conditioning)
Leading rusher: Trent Richardson, 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns on 283 carries
Leading passer: AJ McCarron, 219 of 328 for 2,634 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions
Leading receiver: Marquis Maze, 627 yards and one touchdown on 56 receptions
Leading tackler: Dont’a Hightower, 85
Top player awards: Barrett Jones, Outland Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy; Trent Richardson, Doak Walker Award.
Recognized by: Bowl Championship Series, Associated Press, coaches poll, others (consensus)
2012
Overall record: 13-1
Conference record: 7-1
Path to the championship: Alabama looked like a national front-runner from the start when it trounced Michigan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. UA produced four shutouts and gave up two touchdowns or less in seven other games. The real national title game occurred in Atlanta in the SEC Championship Game, where Alabama topped Georgia, 32-28, in an epic battle.
Bump in the road: Meet Johnny Football, aka Johnny Manziel. Alabama greeted him in Bryant-Denny Stadium in October, and Texas A&M’s mesmerizing quarterback pulled off an upset on the way to winning the Heisman Trophy as the Aggies prevailed, 29-24.
Biggest win along the way: Alabama rallied to beat LSU in Baton Rouge, La., with T.J. Yeldon scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 28-yard screen pass with 51 seconds to go.
Championship game: Alabama elephant-stomped Notre Dame, jumping out to a 28-0 lead by halftime on the way to a 42-14 victory in Miami Gardens, Fla. Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon each topped 100 yards on the ground and AJ McCarron threw four touchdown passes as UA won its third national crown in four years.
Key stat: Opponents averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on the season.
Results
Michigan W 41-14*
Western Kentucky W 35-0
at Arkansas W 52-0
Florida Atlanti W 40-7
Ole Miss W 33-14
at Missouri W 42-10
at Tennessee W 44-13
Mississippi State W 38-7
at LSU W 21-17
Texas A&M L 29-24
Western Carolina W 49-0
Auburn W 49-0
Georgia W 32-28+
Notre Dame W 42-14#
*Arlington, Texas
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#BCS National Championship Game, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Captains: Barrett Jones, Damion Square, Chance Warmack
Assistant coaches: Burton Burns (associate head coach/running backs), Mike Groh (receivers), Doug Nussmeier (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jeremy Pruitt (defensive backs), Chris Rumph (defensive line), Kirby Smart (defensive coordinator/inside linebackers), Jeff Stoutland (offensive line), Lance Thompson (outside linebackers), Bobby Williams (tight ends/special teams), Scott Cochran (strength and conditioning)
Leading rusher: Eddie Lacy, 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns on 204 carries
Leading passer: AJ McCarron, 211 of 314 for 2,933 yards with 30 touchdowns and three interceptions
Leading receiver: Amari Cooper, 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 59 receptions
Leading tackler: C.J. Mosley, 107
Top player awards: Barrett Jones, Rimington Trophy and Campbell Trophy
Recognized by: Bowl Championship Series, Associated Press, coaches poll, others (consensus)
2015
Overall record: 14-1
Conference record: 7-1
Path to the championship: Alabama had to settle on a quarterback, and Jake Coker finally emerged in the wake of an early-season loss to Ole Miss. With no margin for error after that defeat, the Crimson Tide seemed to pick up steam week by week and gathered new momentum after a competitive victory over Tennessee. Running back Derrick Henry carried a big load through an SEC Championship Game win over Florida, and UA’s attack got more diversified in playoff wins over Michigan State and Clemson.
Bump in the road: The Crimson Tide fell at home to Ole Miss, 43-37, in the third game of the season, turning the ball over five times and allowing a long touchdown on a pass that deflected off the helmet of a defender.
Biggest win along the way: Alabama overwhelmed a highly-ranked Georgia team on the road in a downpour to reestablish itself as a contender, intercepting three passes in a stout defensive performance.
Championship game: Special teams proved key as Marlon Humphrey recovered a key onside kick and Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff for a touchdown as UA won a shootout over Clemson, 45-40. Tight end O.J. Howard was named most valuable player with 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Key stat: Alabama led the nation in sacks with 52, averaging nearly 3.5 per game.
Results
Wisconsin W 35-7*
Middle Tennessee W 37-10
Ole Miss L 43-37
Louisiana-Monroe W 34-0
at Georgia W 38-10
Arkansas W 27-14
at Texas A&M W 41-23
Tennessee W 19-14
LSU W 30-16
at Mississippi State W 31-6
Charleston Southern W 56-6
at Auburn W 29-13
Florida W 29-15+
Michigan State W 38-0#
Clemson W 45-40^
*Arlington, Texas
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#College Football Playoff semifinal, Arlington, Texas
^CFP National Championship Game, Glendale, Ariz.
Captains: Jake Coker, Derrick Henry, Ryan Kelly, Reggie Ragland
Assistant coaches: Burton Burns (associate head coach/running backs), Mario Cristobal (assistant head coach/offensive line), Bo Davis (defensive line), Lane Kiffin (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Tosh Lupoi (outside linebackers), Billy Napier (receivers), Kirby Smart (defensive coordinator/inside linebackers), Mel Tucker (assistant head coach/defensive backs), Bobby Williams (tight ends/special teams), Scott Cochran (strength and conditioning)
Leading rusher: Derrick Henry, 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries
Leading passer: Jake Coker, 263 of 393 for 3,110 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions
Leading receiver: Calvin Ridley, 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns on 89 receptions
Leading tackler: Reggie Ragland, 102
Top player awards: Derrick Henry, Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award; Ryan Kelly, Rimington Trophy
Recognized by: College Football Playoff, Associated Press, coaches poll, others (consensus)
2017
Overall record: 13-1
Conference record: 7-1
Path to the championship: Alabama dispatched Florida State in a much-hyped opener, but sustained several injuries to its linebackers. The injuries continued to stack up during the season even as the Crimson Tide ran through much of the SEC. A loss in the Iron Bowl could have ended Alabama’s chances at a national championshipm but after receiving the No. 4 seed in the playoff, Alabama defeated Clemson and Georgia for Saban’s sixth national championship.
Bump in the road: Alabama was undefeated until a 26-14 loss in the Iron Bowl knocked the Crimson Tide out of the SEC title game. This team might have missed the playoff if not for some help around the country on conference championship weekend that paved the way for a playoff berth.
Biggest win along the way: A dangerous road trip to Mississippi State could have derailed the season but became a classic moment. Alabama trailed 24-17 early in the fourth quarter until Jalen Hurts led the team on two touchdown drives to seal a 31-24 win.
Championship game: The offense looked moribund at halftime with Alabama trailing Georgia 13-0. Nick Saban inserted unproven true freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who ignited the Crimson Tide offense and tied the game at 20. Tagovailoa maneuvered Alabama into position for a game-winning field goal with time expiring. The kick sailed wide, sending the title contest to overtime. Georgia kicked a field goal, then Tagovailoa was sacked for a loss of 16 yards on Alabama’s first offensive play. He then threw a game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass on second-and-26 to deliver Saban’s sixth national championship trophy.
Key stat: Alabama led the nation in rushing defense for the third straight year and fifth time under Saban, allowing 94.7 yards per game.
Results
Florida State W 24-7*
Fresno State W 41-10
Colorado State W 41-23
at Vanderbilt W 59-0
Ole Miss W 66-3
at Texas A&M W 27-19
Arkansas W 41-9
Tennessee W 45-7
LSU W 24-10
at Mississippi State W 31-24
Mercer W 56-0
at Auburn L 26-14
Clemson W 24-6#
Georgia W 26-23 OT^
*Atlanta
#College Football Playoff semifinal, New Orleans
^CFP National Championship Game, Atlanta
Captains: Bradley Bozeman, Rashaan Evans, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Shaun Dion Hamilton
Assistant coaches: Derrick Ansley (defensive backs), Burton Burns (associate head coach/running backs), Brian Daboll (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Karl Dunbar (defensive line), Brent Key (offensive line), Mike Locksley (co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers), Tosh Lupoi (co-defensive coordinator/outside linebackers), Joe Pannunzio (tight ends/special teams), Jeremy Pruitt (defensive coordinator/inside linebackers), Scott Cochran (strength and conditioning)
Leading rusher: Damien Harris, 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 135 carries
Leading passer: Jalen Hurts, 154 of 255 for 2,081 yards with 17 touchdowns and one interception
Leading receiver: Calvin Ridley, 967 yards and five touchdowns on 63 receptions
Leading tackler: Ronnie Harrison and Rashaan Evans, 74 tackles each
Top player awards: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award
Recognized by: College Football Playoff, Associated Press, coaches poll, others (consensus)
