13 Reasons Why Alabama Has The Best Football Program in the Country

The University of Alabama has amassed more records, trophies, and various championships than many schools combined. Aside from the incredible discipline, and immense conditioning the Crimson Tide has shown over the years, these coveted records are what set them apart from everyone else.

Take this journey through time and discover for yourself why the quaint town of Tuscaloosa houses the greatest football program ever built. With its legendary coaches and historic traditions you won't be disappointed.

A Dynasty in the Making

When Wallace Wade led the Crimson Tide to their first National Championship in 1925, he had no idea that it was just the first of many, many more.

Hired as the head coach at Alabama in 1923, Wade would soon become one of the best coaches in collegiate football.

Wade goes Back to Back

In 1926, one year after winning the Rose Bowl, Wallace Wade and his immaculate team return to Pasadena to take on the Washington Huskies.

The picture is a great one of Johny Mack running in for his second touchdown of the game. The Huskies were favored, but the Tide came through 20-19 for their second straight National title.

The End of an Era

After winning a third National Championship in 1931, Wallace Wade shocked the world by leaving the University of Alabama for Duke, which had less tradition than Alabama.

Before leaving Alabama however, he gave the University a place on the map. By the end of 1930, more than one third of the student body was from out of state; unheard of in those days.

The success continues...

The departure of coach Wade ushered in a new era, with questions of whether or not the success would continue.

When former Notre Dame quarterback Frank Thomas took the job, he wasted no time answering those questions.

Coach Thomas compiled a 115-24-7 record, and two more national titles during his tenure at Alabama.

A Former Player, Becomes the Greatest Coach in History

After a long drought, Alabama was hungry to return to the national spotlight; if anyone could make the most of that job, Paul "Bear" Bryant could.

A former athlete under coach Frank Thomas, Bryant was a hard nosed coach who showed no mercy to anyone, even his own players, as the motion picture "The Junction Boys" shows.

In just his fourth season, Bear led the Tide to their sixth National Title.

The Dynasty Grows...

I will save you the five additional slides, but before coach Bryant retired in 1982, he led Alabama to five more National Championships (six total).

That's just scratching the surface; Paul Bear Bryant led the Crimson Tide to 24 consecutive bowl appearances, 13 SEC titles, and an overall record of 232-46-9.

A true legend, who would not be overshadowed for more than three decades.

The Tide Rolls Again

In 1990 the University of Alabama hired Gene Stallings to head up the slumped football program.

Things started less than impressive for coach Stallings, but he was a former Junction Boy and knew what it took to return a team to prominence.

In 1992, just his third season, Gene Stallings' team would finish the regular season unbeaten, and face the Miami Hurricanes in the 1993 Sugar Bowl.

The undefeated 'Canes marched in with their Heisman winning QB Gino Torretta, and their 29 game win streak, only to be overcome by the dominant defense of the Tide. Earning the Tide their 12th National Championship and the first since Bear Bryant's departure.

Another Dry Spell Ends, Another Legend Emerges

After years of NCAA enforced probation and non-winning seasons, hope was on the horizon.

After weeks of speculation passed Alabama announced Nick Saban as their 28th head football coach, and Tide fans knew the drought would soon be over.

In his third season, Nick Saban brought a 13th National Championship to the program, as well as it's first ever Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram.

Coming off such a successful year, questions emerge about the possibility of a repeat.

Alabama is known nationally for the tremendous success it has had over the years, and with coach Saban at the helm, I believe the impossible, to be possible.

Thirteen and Counting...

13 National Championships, consensus or not, is quite a feat by any means. I hope that the dry spells are gone as long as Nick Saban is around. Hopefully there will be even more reasons why the University of Alabama truly has the greatest football program in the country!