Alabama football accomplished a lot in 2023 -- despite adversity -- but was it Nick Saban's best coaching job?

The Crimson Tide suffered a loss to Texas in week two of the season, but it found a way to win a Southeastern Conference Championship and get into the College Football Playoff. Many, including national media pundits, had the Tide written off following a defeat to the Longhorns and a struggle victory over South Florida. Alabama hung together, created an incredible acronym "Let All Naysayers Know" or LANK, and came so close to getting Nick Saban his seventh national title for the Tide.

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Alabama suffered a 20-27 overtime loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, but a former Tide player saw the 2023 campaign as Saban's 'best coaching job' since his arrival in 2007. Marquis Maze, a 2009 BCS National Champion at wide receiver, is excited about next season for Alabama football.

To be completely honest this was coach best coaching job since he been at Alabama, I think this yr Alabama team was overachievers. Honestly who thought early in the yr this was a playoff team? Them kids played their hearts out and I respect this team 123 Next yr Roll Tide

— Marquis Maze (@Mazeboy4) January 2, 2024

We will have a while to ponder on what happened at Rose Bowl Stadium until it's time to focus on spring practice.

It is back to the drawing board for the Crimson Tide.

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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.