The Alabama Crimson Tide is the New York Yankees of college football. Most Division I schools can only dream about the money and resources this program has at its disposal. Like the Yankees, they can buy their way out of just about any slump or bad situation, and over the past two years they have used it to the best of their ability to rebuild and reorganize with one goal in mind: football glory. The University of Alabama went undefeated in 2009 and won their first national title since 1992. The Tide is rolling again.
All my LSU fans can close your mouth and wipe that look of worry off your face. Just because I am living in Birmingham does not, in any way, mean my allegiances have changed. The spirit lives within me, forever LSU. All I am doing is giving credit where credit is due.
Atop the mighty mountain that is SEC football, the Crimson Tide is king (at least for now). Many Bama fans are not unfamiliar with being at the top. In the 60’s and 70’s Paul “Bear” Bryant’s teams dominated college football unlike any team before or since. Bryant brought Alabama six National Titles (61’, 64’, 65’, 72, 78’ and 79’), unmatched by any other coach in the modern era. Bryant was larger than life and his influence went far beyond the state of Alabama. He was the mogul of college football turning the game into a business. His legacy has lived on long after his death (and not only in the minds of Bama fans).
After the era of the “Bear” came to an end, Alabama fans would not enjoy another National Title until 1992. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to the Sugar Bowl to face Miami, and college football fans were stunned as the Tide rolled over Miami 34-13. Alabama fans would have to enjoy this celebration for a long time because NCAA violations were soon to become a theme in Alabama athletics.
There was an incident shortly after the ’92 championship when the Tide was forced to forfeit nearly the entire 1993 season and put on a one-year postseason ban (which was effective for 1995). The NCAA considered cornerback Antonio Langham ineligible for allegedly signing with an agent.
But the most devastating blow came after the 2001 season. That was when the Tide became completely stagnant. Allegations were made in 2000 that a “rogue booster” named Logan Young paid approximately $150,000 to a Memphis high school coach to ensure that defensive tackle Albert Means would sign with Alabama. The NCAA took action by opening a full-fledged investigation. Probation sanctions were handed down by the NCAA in 2002, and Alabama was punished with a loss of scholarships and a 2 year post season ban. The humiliation continued when then head coach, Dennis Franchione abruptly left Alabama amid the sanctions telling player and fans to “hold the rope.”
Mike Price was hired to fill the void but lasted only a few months after being fired for running up the company credit card on some questionable purchases.
In May 2003, Alabama choose Mike Shula to lead the Tide. Bama fans promptly took a shot of bourbon and settled in for the most miserable football Alabama had experienced since the 1950’s. Shula’s tenure was lackluster, failing to beat Auburn or LSU in his 4 years as coach, he was fired. The glory days of expecting championships every year and being a fixture on national television seemed like a distant memory, especially in light of the circus that was their coaching search.
“We got Saban” were three simple words that for a time made LSU blood boil and felt like a slap in the face to every coonass. This is partly because we were hurt and partly because we knew what was coming. The Tide was going to rise again.
For all you Bama fans that think Nick Saban is the second coming of “Bear” Bryant, he is not. Nick Saban is the first coming of Nick Saban (I know from experience).
In three short years, he was able to bring Alabama out of football obscurity (“ala-who?”) to winning a BCS National Title. It was not an entirely smooth ride considering the 2007 loss to UL-Monroe, and the disappointments in 2008 when an undefeated Alabama choked in Atlanta and followed it up with a completely uninspired Sugar Bowl performance. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was Alabama football in one season. Saban brought with him strict discipline, along with strong recruiting and a great coaching staff. This new swagger attracted talented recruits in droves. All of this paid off in 2009 when Alabama defeated the mighty Gators, en route to beating Texas (historically, someone they had never beaten) for the BCS title. The youngest generation of Alabama fans was finally able to understand their parents’ strong passion for the Tide.
The journey is only half the story and this one has a happy ending (that is… if you’re a Bama fan). For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the future is bright and for the time being out shines all other SEC teams. (stupid Dolphins!)
This is Part II in a three part series about the return of three legendary SEC programs.
Johnny Esfeller thanks for all your help with this one.
