Alabama football is in a championship drought. How Tide’s working to fix it
For the past decade, Alabama football has been a symbol of dominance in the world of college football. Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide racked up championships, SEC titles, and a seemingly endless stream of top-tier recruits, solidifying its place as one of the sport’s most successful programs. But since 2020, Alabama has found itself in a championship drought, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering: how is the program addressing its recent struggles to claim another title?
The answer, while multifaceted, revolves around a mix of reflection, adaptation, and relentless pursuit of perfection — values that have always been at the heart of Alabama football. Despite still being one of the most dominant teams in the country, there are several areas where the Crimson Tide is looking to improve and fine-tune its operations. From recruiting to player development to new strategies on the field, Alabama is hard at work making adjustments and recalibrating its approach to remain the gold standard in college football.
One of the key pillars of Alabama’s previous success under Saban was its relentless ability to recruit top-tier talent year after year. From the moment Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, the program’s recruiting efforts took on an unmatched level of intensity. Over the years, Alabama has consistently signed some of the nation’s most talented prospects, many of whom have gone on to be NFL stars.
However, in recent years, Alabama’s recruiting efforts, while still elite, have faced increased competition. Schools like Georgia, Ohio State, and even LSU have significantly improved their recruiting, making the SEC even more challenging for Alabama to dominate. The Tide’s talent, though still remarkable, hasn’t always been enough to seal the deal in critical moments, particularly in high-stakes games.
To address this, Alabama has doubled down on its recruiting strategy. Saban and his staff have spent more time on the recruiting trail than ever before, re-emphasizing the importance of securing the top recruits. The staff is also increasingly looking for players who fit into the modern, high-paced college football landscape, where speed and agility play as large a role as power. While Alabama is still known for its physicality, the program is adapting to the more dynamic and fast-paced offenses that are increasingly prevalent across the SEC and the nation.
In particular, Alabama has made significant strides in recruiting quarterbacks and offensive weapons who can thrive in an era where the passing game is just as crucial as the running game. With talented quarterbacks like Bryce Young (who was drafted No. 1 overall in 2023) and Jalen Hurts (now a superstar in the NFL), Alabama has shown it can develop high-level quarterbacks. But after the success of these players, the bar has been set even higher, with Alabama needing to ensure its next crop of quarterbacks not only succeeds in college but also transitions well to the NFL.
While Alabama’s recruiting has remained strong, the one position that has been under the microscope in recent years has been quarterback. For much of the previous decade, Alabama’s formula for success revolved around a dominant offensive line and a strong running game, with efficient quarterback play serving as a complement to those strengths. However, as college football shifted toward a pass-heavy game, Alabama found itself needing to produce a more dynamic quarterback to compete at the highest level.
In recent years, the Tide have been fortunate to have stellar quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young, but since the departure of Young, the team has struggled to find a true game-changer under center. Last season, Alabama’s quarterback play was inconsistent, as Jalen Milroe and Tyler Buchner both saw significant time at the position, but neither managed to provide the kind of spark that the program had grown accustomed to.
The good news is that the Crimson Tide’s recruiting efforts for quarterbacks have not slowed down. The staff brought in elite recruits such as Jalen Milroe and the highly touted Ty Simpson to shore up the position. Milroe’s athleticism and ability to make plays with his legs have been notable, but his development as a passer still needs refinement. Simpson, a highly skilled prospect, offers hope for the future as a player who can lead the Tide’s offense with a more complete skill set.
As for the current roster, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees (a recent hire from Notre Dame) has placed a strong emphasis on developing the quarterbacks into more versatile playmakers who can execute a balanced offense. His arrival is part of a broader effort to adapt the offense to the modern game, while still maintaining the tough, physical identity that has defined Alabama for so long. Rees’ experience with quarterbacks like Ian Book at Notre Dame could be just what the Tide need to reestablish elite quarterback play.
While the Tide’s offensive struggles in recent years have been a point of concern, the defense has been another area of focus. Alabama’s defense has historically been one of the toughest and most well-coached units in college football, but even the most formidable defenses can find themselves at a disadvantage in the face of modern, fast-paced offenses.
To address this, Saban has focused heavily on adapting to the changes in college football. Over the last few years, Alabama has been working to increase the speed and versatility of its defense, placing a greater emphasis on pass rushers and hybrid players who can excel in coverage. The Tide’s defensive line has always been a source of strength, but the focus has shifted toward creating more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and creating turnovers.
Alabama’s secondary has also undergone some transformation. In a league where elite quarterbacks like LSU’s Joe Burrow, Alabama’s former QB Bryce Young, and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett have raised the bar, Alabama has put more resources into recruiting top-tier defensive backs. With elite cornerbacks like Kool-Aid McKinstry and a slew of versatile safeties, the Tide’s secondary has the potential to be one of the nation’s best.
On offense, the focus has been on incorporating more speed and versatility, adopting elements of the spread offense while staying true to the Alabama tradition of powerful running games. The team’s offensive line, while still strong, is being challenged to become more athletic and capable of protecting a mobile quarterback who may be asked to make plays outside the pocket.
Under offensive coordinator Rees and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, Alabama has been working on finding the right balance between staying true to its roots — power running, dominant defense — and adapting to the new era of fast-paced, high-scoring offenses. These changes are critical for the Tide to regain its championship pedigree.
One of the cornerstones of Alabama’s success under Saban has always been its ability to develop talent. Alabama has always had access to some of the best high school players in the country, but what set the Tide apart was Saban’s ability to get the most out of those players once they stepped onto campus. While the team’s recruiting efforts have been impressive, the real strength of Alabama football has been the player development that occurs within the program.
However, in recent years, some critics have pointed out that while Alabama has still managed to churn out first-round NFL talent, the team’s player development has stagnated slightly in some areas. More specifically, Alabama has struggled in developing younger players into immediate contributors on the offensive side of the ball. With so many young, elite recruits joining the roster each year, the expectation is that many of these players should be ready to contribute immediately, but this has been an area of difficulty in recent seasons.
This is where Saban and his staff have been working tirelessly to bridge the gap. The program is increasingly emphasizing the development of younger players, making sure they are ready to step into significant roles early in their careers. This includes more emphasis on the mental side of the game, making sure players can handle the pressure and expectations that come with being part of a program like Alabama. The staff has also worked to foster stronger leadership qualities among the team, with an increased focus on players’ emotional and mental preparedness for high-pressure situations.
As for the upperclassmen, Alabama is focused on ensuring that the team’s veterans can be effective leaders and contributors when the championship stakes are high. This means providing additional coaching and leadership training, as well as maintaining a team culture that promotes accountability, discipline, and resilience.
For all of the adjustments that Alabama has made in recent seasons, one key factor remains the same: Nick Saban is still at the helm. The legendary coach is in the latter stages of his career, but his commitment to excellence is unwavering. Even as the landscape of college football changes, Saban is pushing the program to evolve and stay ahead of the curve.
The question of whether Saban can lead the Tide back to the pinnacle of college football is one that will be answered in the coming seasons. With a talented roster, a fresh coaching approach, and an understanding of what it will take to navigate the new college football landscape, the Crimson Tide is well-positioned to return to its championship-winning ways.
Alabama’s current championship drought has been a wake-up call for the program, but the work being done behind the scenes is setting up the Tide for future success. Through continued adaptation, relentless recruiting, and a commitment to developing the next generation of players, Alabama is positioning itself to break free from its drought and once again be a dominant force in college football. The pursuit of perfection is as strong as ever in Tuscaloosa — and that’s why, even in the midst of a drought, Alabama’s future remains as bright as ever.
