Nick Saban
"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people."
Biography
Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007 with a clear mission: to restore Alabama football to the pinnacle of the sport. He didn't just succeed; he redefined what was possible in modern college football. Over 17 seasons, Saban built a Machine—a program defined by "The Process," a philosophy that prioritized discipline, preparation, and execution over outcomes. This relentless approach yielded six national championships at Alabama (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020), equaling the legendary Bear Bryant. His 2020 team, which navigated an undefeated SEC schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, is widely regarded as arguably the greatest team in college football history. Against Auburn, Saban restored order to a rivalry that had swung in the Tigers' favor before his arrival. He compiled a 12-5 record in the Iron Bowl, including dominant victories like the 36-0 shutout in 2008 and the 42-13 rout in 2020. However, his tenure also saw some of the rivalry's wildest moments, including the "Kick Six" and the 2023 "Gravedigger" miracle on 4th and 31. Through it all, Saban remained the sport's ultimate standard-bearer. His ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college football—embracing up-tempo offenses and the transfer portal—kept Alabama in championship contention every single year until his retirement in 2024. He leaves not just as Alabama's greatest coach alongside Bryant, but as the consensus greatest college football coach of all time.
Achievements
- 6 National Championships at Alabama (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020)
- 10 SEC Championships
- 201-29 record at Alabama
- Most dominant coach in modern college football
- 12-5 record vs Auburn
Notable Iron Bowl Games
The 2008 Iron Bowl was a exorcism for Alabama fans. After losing six consecutive games to their arch-rival—a streak famously dubbed "Fear the Thumb"—top-ranked Alabama arrived in Tuscaloosa determined to restore order. They did so with a level of dominance that signaled a permanent shift in the rivalry's power dynamics. Nick Saban's first Iron Bowl victory was a masterclass in defense. Alabama shut out Auburn 36-0, the first shutout in the series in 35 years. Auburn mustered only 170 total yards and never threatened the end zone. On offense, Alabama bludgeoned Auburn on the ground. Glen Coffee rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown, while freshman sensation Mark Ingram added 64 yards and two scores. The game was essentially over by halftime, but Saban's squad kept the pressure on, turning the fourth quarter into a celebration for the Bryant-Denny crowd.
The 2009 Iron Bowl was the hurdle Alabama had to clear to reach perfection. At 11-0, the #2 Crimson Tide entered Jordan-Hare Stadium facing a 7-4 Auburn team that played its best game of the season. The result was a classic that came down to a legendary final possession. Trailing 21-20 with under eight minutes to play, Alabama took over at their own 21-yard line. What followed was "The Drive." Quarterback Greg McElroy engineered a methodical, 15-play, 79-yard march that consumed over seven minutes of clock. Facing intense pressure, McElroy made clutch throws, including a key third-down conversion to Julio Jones. With 1:24 remaining, McElroy found Roy Upchurch in the flat for a 4-yard touchdown. The 26-21 victory preserved the perfect season, leading to an SEC Championship win over Florida and Alabama's first national title under Nick Saban.
The 2012 Iron Bowl was a mercifully short execution. En route to their second consecutive national championship, #2 Alabama completely dismantled a reeling Auburn team 49-0 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It was the first shutout in the rivalry since 2008 and highlighted two programs moving in opposite directions. The stats were staggering. Alabama outgained Auburn 483 to 163. AJ McCarron threw four touchdown passes in an efficient, effortless performance before resting for the starters. Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon ran through gaping holes in the Auburn defense. By halftime, it was 42-0. For Auburn, the 49-point loss was the final nail in the coffin for head coach Gene Chizik, who was fired the following day just two years after winning a national title.
The 2018 Iron Bowl was a reminder of the gap between a good team and a legendary one. Top-ranked Alabama welcomed Auburn to Bryant-Denny Stadium and proceeded to deliver a 52-21 beatdown. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, in the midst of one of the most efficient seasons in college football history, put on a clinic. He completed 25 of 32 passes for 324 yards and five touchdowns, adding a sixth score on the ground. Whether dropping dimes to Jerry Jeudy (77 yards, 1 TD) or finding Henry Ruggs III (2 TDs), Tua operated with a level of precision Auburn had no answer for. After a somewhat competitive first half where Alabama led 17-14, the Tide exploded in the third quarter, scoring on seven consecutive possessions. Auburn's offense, led by Jarrett Stidham, mustered only 281 total yards and struggled to sustain drives against a ferocious Alabama front. The victory completed an undefeated regular season for Alabama.
The 2020 Iron Bowl was a mismatch of historic proportions, serving as a revenge game for Alabama after the heartbreak of 2019. Played in front of a sparse, COVID-restricted crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium, top-ranked Alabama didn't just beat #22 Auburn; they dismantled them 42-13. Quarterback Mac Jones delivered a flawless performance, throwing for 302 yards and tying an Iron Bowl record with five touchdown passes. His primary target, DeVonta Smith, was unstoppable. The Heisman Trophy winner-to-be caught seven passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard strike that left the Auburn secondary in the dust. Najee Harris pounded the Auburn defense for 96 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Alabama was suffocating, holding Bo Nix and the Auburn offense to just 13 points and forcing two interceptions. Unlike the chaotic shootouts of previous years, this was a clinical, methodical dismantling by a team destined for the National Championship.