2009: The Beginning - A look back at Alabama's first championship season under Nick Saban

You remember the T-shirt: “Tebow cried. Cam Lied. LSU tried.”
There were different variations of the T-shirt after Alabama’s national championship run in 2009, which would be the first of five national championships under coach Nick Saban.

“This is not the end,” the Alabama coach said. “This is the beginning.”

But, before you can truly appreciate that national championship win, you have to understand the mindset, the personnel changes, the opponents and the obstacles standing in the Crimson Tide’s way.

The year before, the Tide was a victim of Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators. Tim Tebow ripped open the heart of the Crimson Tide as the Gators secured a second straight national title.

A stunning loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl gave the Tide back-to-back losses in a season which started with a win over a ninth-ranked Clemson team “that announced Alabama on the national stage.”

Gone from the 2008 team were leaders Antoine Caldwell, Andre Smith, John Parker Wilson, Glen Coffee and Rashad Johnson. Those players replaced with names like Greg McElroy, Barrett Jones, Mark Ingram, Mike Johnson, Julio Jones, and Trent Richardson.

AL.com, on the 10th anniversary of the 2009 national title run, takes a three-part visual trip through what became the foundation for a modern-day college-football dynasty.

[jimbeaux]

I was born and bred an Ohio State Buckeye, and I’ll always be proud of my team, no matter what. You can’t however, deny the fact that Bama has long been the golden standard in all of college football. There’s a reason they’re always favored in just about every game they play. Nonetheless, I love my Buckeyes, and always will. Just wanted to give Bama some respect.

[jiveassturkey]

“I want everybody to know: This is NOT the end. THIS is the beginning!.” - Nick Saban 2009. The goat.

[windowwind]

Who's back and watching this after the Alabama vs. Ohio State game? True legend

[daygon]

"Between that and being a ginger, it's really a lot to have to carry through life." - Cecil Hurt

[mckinleycason]

My Daddy, a life long Bama fan, passed away in July of 2009. I wanted/needed them to win all of this. It meant so much. Daddy would’ve been just tickled to see what happed that year and beyond!

[imhooks]

Seeing Tebow cry never gets old. RMFT

[sherrykurtz]

I was at the Tennessee game with my sister. When the Vols were ready to kick I was in tears with my eyes closed sitting and praying while everyone around me was on their feet. The next thing I know my sister grabbed my shirt and was yellin "Cody blocked it!! Cody blocked it!!" The crowd around me erupted screaming and yelling. I started crying tears of joy while weak in my knees. It is a moment in my life that I will never forget.

[genepaulk]

I remember the 2009 season like it was yesterday !!! This has been a great ride so far with coach Nick Saban and The Alabama Crimson Tide !!! 🐘 Roll Tide Roll 🐘 18 X National Champions 🏆 !!!

[robbietomlin]

I remember how proud I felt after the 2009 SEC Championship game. It was such an awesome feeling compared to the 2008 sec championship results. I live alabama football and breath crimson every day. I find myself watching videos like this every day. Special thanks to Coach Saban for bringing us back to the elite!!!

[zeusdeuce]

Love Cecil’s quote about Greg being a ginger 😂 RIP Cecil Hurts! Bama nation will always be grateful

[calvestermarks]

I a bama fan and in never forget the 2009 season and won the championship i still got that DVD of the championship game 4sho.

[SkitsByChris]

This hits home even more now that Saban has retired.

[brrocks]

Coming back to this after the loss to TAMU in 2021…taking some inspiration for the rest of the season.

Can’t believe Gene Chizik is featured in this video so much. He seems like a good guy and a class act.

Roll Tide.

[ChristopherX]

Coach O was a Tennessee assistant in '09?? I had no idea!!

[trusoldier]

This was the beginning and we haven't looked back since

[jmac]

5:20 did this man really say "he's saddled with being a game manager, between that and being a ginger, it's really alot to carry through life"

[gerryfitzpatrick]

Been a bama fan since I was a kid around 1977, I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada, this team has always giving me lots to look forward to can't wait for the 21 season

[DTMC]

Here after Bama just won number 18. Hopefully many more to come. Roll Saban, and RMFT!!!

[BrianSWG]

Loved this!! Would have been great to see Urban Meyer or Tebow talk about how Florida saw the game and Alabama!

[averyprice]

They won that thing one more time for my Ma right before she passed