Alabama’s goal as a football program is to return to the College Football Playoff and win a national championship.
As its sights are on showing the masses it dominates the sport, we reflect on a special memory.
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On this date, 13 years ago, confetti fell on the Crimson Tide for the first time under Nick Saban as national champions. Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul W. “Bear” Bryant, and Eugene “Gene” Stallings brought national titles to the program.
The Tide entered a dry spell after Stallings, failing to reach championship status on a national scale under Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione, and Mike Shula. Coach Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007, but he lifted the dark cloud away from Tuscaloosa in his third season. He guided Alabama to the 2010 BCS National Championship Game in the 2009 season. The Crimson Tide took on Texas at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Marcell Dareus, a defensive end, earned the Defensive Most Valuable Player Award.
He knocked Longhorns quarterback, Colt McCoy, out of the game and intercepted a shovel pass for a touchdown to end the first half. Texas made a valiant effort in the second half, but Alabama’s defense forced a fumble and recovered it in the fourth quarter.
The Tide earned a 37-21 victory, and Saban got hit with fruit punch Gatorade. It would become the first of six national championships for Alabama under him. He set a standard of dominance that continues to be revered across the landscape.
Alabama looks to return to that level of play on offense and defense next fall.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
