Turning of the Tide | Part 1: The Arrival of Nick Saban 

I’ll never forget how embarrassed I was as a kid to be a fan of Alabama. Those pre Saban days were rough and the only thing keeping me a fan was the stories of all the championships and great players from days past told to me by my dad and grandpa. All that being said, I’m so happy and appreciative of everything Saban has accomplished at Alabama. He’s definitely made it easy to be a proud Bama fan again.

“I’m not going to tell you what we’re going to accomplish, I’m going to tell you HOW we’re gonna do it.” That’s how you knew good things were in store for the Tide.

People dont realize Julio had prototypical measures as a junior in high school! I got recruited with him , Hightower, John Michael Boswell, Tyler Love, Marcel ect....Julio was the real deal, once in a lifetime talent! Watching this brought back so many memories, i didnt play with Alabama but the recruitment experience was amazing!

I love that Saban is also a good Catholic man... he’s a hothead on the field, but he’s a leader and mentors his men!!!

I’m a Buckeye fan and I can really appreciate this series. I remember when Bamba was struggling and I was pretty happy when they hired Nick Saban. The football world wasn’t quite right with Bamba not performing as they should. Looking forward to a great game!

I’m an OU fan! I have watched this documentary like 4 times. I love college football. There is no doubt Nick Saban is the best College Football Coach in my lifetime so far.

Roll Dam Tide!! Nick Saban needs to make 20 million a year. The best coach ever and the best coach ever at the University of Alabama!!! Unbiased by race at any and every position!!! NO WALLACE!! NO "I GOT TO GET ME ONE OF THEM!!" Just a great man at the greatest University. Roll Tide Roll!!

Never forget the members of the 2007 and 2008 teams who bought in, worked their tails off and built the foundation for what everyone has seen over the past 12 seasons. Several of them didn't win rings/titles before they left. Instead they did the hard work of lifting the program up and giving it the direction we've enjoyed since they left. I'd list names but there are too many. Bama fans know who you are, men - and we thank you. Roll Tide!

Kudos to the miami dolphins players for not embracing the process so saban can come back to teach kids,i enjoyed every minute of it. RTR

and since that day, teams have all wanted Alabama. Its nice to feel wanted, even when you regret it later.

Listened every game to John Forney broadcast the good and the bad. Blessed to attend Alabama in the championship year of 1978. Bama had years of down seasons post Bryant. Still loved Alabama football!

The greatest dynasty in the history of college football!!

I watched a documentary about Tua and decided to continue... I haven't stopped. Was never interested in college football, but now I am a total Alabama fan. I've looked up the school, the football team, the history (which was not so good. I was surprised to find out it was the college that famously and reluctantly let black students in their school) Love watching Tua and Alabama Tide play. I've watched other players love watching the Coaches press releases, love Nick Saban, he is the man. Go Crimson Tide!!! Oh, and I am a number 1 rugby fan from NZ, Go ALL Blacks!!! For those who don't know - the greatest winning sports team in the last 100 yrs.

Best coach in college football! Roll tide coach Saban ❤🐘🏈#🏆

Tua got me hooked watching Alabama to be honest since that touchdown in last season championship game against Goergia im from NZ but we pretty much into rugby but other than that Roll Tua Roll

I feel old seeing the word Cingular 😂

Love this. Anxiously waiting for notification.

Tua Tagovailoa got me watching college football, but I’m invested in watching and knowing anything about Alabama RTR and I don’t even know anything about American football, I’m from Australia and we don’t even play NFL we play Rugby league and union with no protective gear or helmets lol, but I watched something about Tua and how they won and bammm here I am loving the Crimson Tides and their dynasty and Nick Saban nd the story behind a great college football team... brought to you by kangaroo valley lol

Cannot believe he made a grown man cry .

Nick Saban, Rich Rodriguez and Jimbo Fisher all came from my home state of West Virginia.

I may be biased but was kid during bear, hurt in the post bear era. The saban hit. Was bama since i was 5 watching with.my dad. He died before saban. But it was worth the bad yrs.to DOMINATE last 15 yrs. No one has ruled a sport like Saban. Proud crimson tide fan, no excuse no bs, we own college football and we love it. You hate us cause you aint us, we can live with that, happily. ROLL TIDE, we are the standard, and we k ow it and so do you.

THANK YOU COACH SABAN...ROLL TIDE FOREVER!!!

Awesome! Can't wait for part 2

I will never forget the plane arriving and us Tide fans going crazy for Nick Saban. The rest is history

The 2008-2012 teams will always be my favorite.

Outstanding!

The night that I realized we had hired a coach was when we were down two scores, had a great drive going and Saban sent the FG team on the field with under 5 minutes to play. Made a stop and won the game and the rest is history. Welcome to Tuscaloosa Coach, stay as long as you please.

Sure is good to be back.... September 23rd 1978 day i became a fan..(fyi lost that day to USC)... thank u nick... u da man!!!

So cool! He’s so great in Foley and he’ll be great as always at Alabama!!!!! Julio was and still is great! Miss seeing him here in Foley! And at Alabama. Atlanta Falcons had him first in NFL! Lucky team!

Coach saban is eerily similar to john wooden at ucla when all those championships were being won. Two of the finest men and coaches to ever coach young men. The imprint you leave on men is inspiring! Roll tide FOREVER coach Saban.

I remember being a kid around the age of 8, or 9, I remember walking into what you would call a rent a center here in Florence, Al. I remember looking and watching their zenith TV's (No flat screens lol) and watching David Smith lead Alabama on a comeback win against Army in the Sun Bowl. I knew my Mom and Dad both were Bama fans, but I became one because of that day. I started checking out the history on Alabama football. Started realizing that "Hey this school has been winning titles since the 1920's!" Watched alot of ESPN shows and the history of college football. They talked about Bama, Notre Dame, USC,Army, Michigan, Oklahoma ,Nebraska ,I was intrigued. But being a Bama fan in the late 80s was tough, just as was the 2000's. That 92 team against Miami, was a special day. Cause I was born in 1978, Bama won titles in 78,and 79, and with that 92 title, it made my love for this school even stronger, i now have 2 kids, both were born on National Titles seasons (My son Marshall 09, my daughter Zoe 11,12). Their mother is from W.Virginia, where Saban is from, she now is a huge Bama fan, and to this day I call her my "Good luck, grid iron girl " I met her in 2007, Saban' s first season, It was destined to be lol. I loved everything about Bama,the uniforms, i loved their fight song, I loved EVERYTHING about the "Crimson Tide" (Wich I feel is the greatest team name in all of sports) As I watched that 92 team, the wins over Vandy the first game of the yr, I remember those Saturdays so well, and It has been like that ever since. I've never not listened, watched, or went to an Alabama game since that day in that store. In 1999 Bama won the SEC title, and played Tom Brady and Michigan in the Orange Bowl. Bama lost, I was devistated! Bama just came off a 4 win season in 97, and not much better in 98. So I went to my first game in 2000 against Vanderbilt in Birmingham, Bama was just beaten by UCLA in Pasadena, Ca after being ranked as high as #3 in the start of the season, Bama won 3 games that season. I didn't stop watching, my friends laughed, my family stopped watching, and careing, I didn't give up hope. My best friend left in 2003 and went home to NW Indiana, he was a huge ND fan, and he told me "Bama will NEVER top ND in National Titles!" I said to him "Just wait, Bama will get a great recruiter,and a great defensive minded coach. That's all Bama needs and no one will stop em for years to come." In comes Saban in 2007. Believe it or not, my friend whom was so high on ND, now is a huge Alabama fan, he still watches his Irish, but he calls Bama the best college program of all time, and it's not even close. The 2012 BCS title game he sent me a picture of his coat, and it was half ND, and half Alabama,it was amazing to see. And he tells me every day, that when he is working, he sees different ppl at the truck stop and they see his Bama swag, and they say "ROLL TIDE! Folks this is what makes college football great! And Alabama is the GOLD standard ,along with Notre Dame, Michigan, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, USC, and Texas. It is always better when these teams are at the top of their game. And not only has Alabama dominated the CFB world. It's also been reason for some teams success i.e. Clemson , every Clemson national title team has been won by a former Bama player or coach. Howard,Ford, and Swinney. Look at Miami, Howard Schnellenbrger was a former assistant under Bear Bryant. He started their climb to power in the 80s. No doubt about it, Alabama IS and will ALWAYS be the GOLD standard in College Football! Will Bama's Dynasty end? Yes it likley will, but not while Saban is still recruiting at the level he is, and he knows who to hire as assistants. He's the best, and just as Bryant' s last game at the Liberty bowl in Memphis against Illinois was probrably one of the most covered bowl games during that time, the same will be for Nick Saban when his last game is coached. And that man will be hoisted above the players shoulders, and he will leave the CFB as "The greatest EVER" And it makes me damn proud to know that not only will Saban retire as the greatest, but Bama will have the honor of saying "We had the 2 greatest coaches of all time!" (Coach Bryant, and Coach Saban) and don't worry Bama fans, when Saban retires? Trust me, there will be another great head coach, that is a destined winner that will walk into the press conference and say "This is Alabama, this is where champions come to win, this is the holy grail of college football!" Mabe Dabo, mabe a coach we've never heard of. But when it happens we all will know that regardless, he will be one of the greatest. That's the power of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football! "ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL TIDE ROLL!

I'm from Texas and love Alabama!

So ready for part 2 lol!

These 3 parts of this series is great, now it is time for part 4,the dynasty.

Yea this video has me hooked. Where's part 2??!!

This is a awesome show. Sincerely a Hurricanes fan!

Moral of the story, don’t hire a “Mike.”

Saban made the Tide what it is today in the modern era.RTR!!! Best coach of all time!!!

Are you going to upload more? I love this, it’s so interesting.

Boy oh boy. Where would be today without Saban. Our program and our dynasty would not even remotely be the same without Saban. I don’t think we would have been near as successful without him. Saban is a one of a kind coach.

The last 2 years Mike Shula was at Bama we had the 11th and 10th best recruiting class according to rivals. Saban's first full recruiting class in 08 was #1.

THE GOAT.

part 2!! PART 2!! (banging table with fork and spoon).. part 2....(please) great video!

I read your comment. A FEW WEEKS?!?! Don't worry I subbed. That being said, you cannot put out a video like this and not have the rest done. I need to see the rest, right now, lol. Very, very, very good video. Will definitely watch more than once.

I remember all of this. Only the true Alabama fans remember the probationary years. Prothro breaking his ankle etc.💯

I never knew that Elvis & Moses parted the red sea together?? Interesting🤔... you learn something new everyday!! 😆

The 2006 Iron Bowl, as an Alabama fan, the only time I have ever wanted auburn to win a football game. If Bama wins it might just be enough to give Shula 1 more year. With a loss we could pull the plug.

To me, this is the best Alabama team we have ever had. I’m not being cocky, but honestly (knock on wood) I don’t see anyone that could stop us. And that’s just the truth. I believe the closest game we would have would be against Clemson. I want to see that game. ROLL TIDE ROLL LETS MAKE IT BACK TO BACK ONCE AGAIN!!!!!!

I moved to Bham in '01 from CT. First thing i noticed was the accent second was these boys down here were BIG early & they was all about football. My mom boyfriend was Roll Tide and needless to say I fell behind & disliked Auburn. All I could remember was how not only Alabama basketball team was lackluster but so was The football team. The biggest rivalry auburn vs roll tide was always going to War eagles. It was no question. That all changed when Nick Saban came. A total makeover, Im now back in CT but am still Roll Tide it is Stupendous on what that coach and team has accomplished/accomplishes year in & year out.

So happy Nick came to Alabama

I’m not even an Alabama fan but name the college football championship trophy after Nick Sabin there is no one else.

You better find someone similar to Nick Saban the day he retires. With Nick he knows how to get the most out of his players. He know when to discipline them, knows when to work them hard, but also when to lift them up and when to praise them. That's why he's the best. He has a system and is organized and know who to recruit.

6:56 was my high school that Julio was playing at

I was so happy when Nick Saban came to Tuscaloosa. He is the goat college football coach. I was loyal through the dark ages of the three Mikes. It did get tiresome never going to bowls.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Part 2!!!!! Now!!!!!!! 💯 💯 💯

We ready for part 2, 3, and 4....lol Roll Damn Tide

my first BAMA game in person was the ULM loss. Fortunately I have been able to attend some wins since.

Thanks Nick.

I like Finebaum's ears -- clearly a good listener.

I played high school ball in Baltimore County 69, 69, 70…..our colors were Red, White and small Black accents….I was a big Alabama fan, tried to play like Bear Bryant would be watching films of me…..Bear and his tower, badass….ROLL TIDE !

the colors,the name....its just ALL the best.TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA!two of the most beautiful words.

Awesome video!

Where's part 2? You're not going to leave us hanging are you? Great video.

It takes a guy like Saban. That's why they're so rare. It's a rare breed of man that will literally work at something for 20 hrs a day, seven days a week. Never break from the standard, never break from the mantra. He's a machine. That's the kind of guy needed to dominate a profession as thoroughly as he has for as long as he has. You look at dabo or kirby. Great coaches but they seem to NEED that certain player at that certain position to put it all together. Saban takes the 5 star roster and just wins. He finds the guys, develops and wins. Every... Year. That's why I have NO DOUBT they'll have the QB position ready. How many times have we been down this road at this point?

hoooo, boy. I'm going to enjoy this series! The one thing that i wish would've gotten a greater focus, is everything the administration went through to get him to come! Great Video, though. Love it!

IM A DIE HARD LSU FAN!! BUT... I MUST SAY; I REALIZE THAT BECAUSE OF NICK SABAN, LSU IS NOW ON THE MAP. I GIVE SABAN HIS DUE, HE IS THE BEST COACH IN COLLEGE HISTORY! YES I SAID IT. LSU NEEDS TO REMEMBER WHAT SABAN DID FOR LSU.. THANKS COACH, MUCH RESPECT HERE......

#18's on the way it's all good ! RTR !

I need part 2

Remember that Mike Shula was hired because they thought the gravitas of the Shula name would be good for recruiting. In the 2008 nfl draft not one Bama player was taken. That is how bad recruiting was. You had players like Terry Grant who was a starting RB, 891 yards in 07 who instantly became 3rd string the next year.

Not sure about Saban comparing a loss to 9/11 and Pearl Harbour.... but that is taking football serious

Roll Tide baby!!!!

Who came here after Nick Saban announced his retirement?

There's a lot of people that will point to the fact that Saban failed in the NFL as a negative, to them I say, in the NFL as a head coach you are at best, third in command taking orders from the GM and owner and don't have full control of the program, Alabama gave him full control and said just do what you gotta do and he did it and look at the results.

Fuck yeah repping Foley high!! Julio Jones!! ❤️

ROLL TIDEE ROLL!!!! 🏈🏈🐘🐘🔥

Funny seein “Cingular” in the background and to know that used to be a thing and isn’t anymore.

Good stuff but the 2015 season was by far my favorite.

And we are still dominating roll tide

Roll tide roll!!

It's hard to beleive at one point we were just "awful". That we were just a burden nobody wanted to come coach here. I didn't know what to think when I heard we got Saban. Was certainly nervous and seeing the turnaround in 2008 blew my mind.

Excellence

I'm an OU fan and I remember something interesting. If I remember correctly in 2003 when OU was playing at Alabama Gameday was there and at one point they said something to the effect of "These Alabama have to get it out of their heads that the days of Bear Bryant are ever coming back" or something like that, in other words they should lower their standards. Well, Alabama didn't lower their standards and now they have the best dynasty in the history of college football. That said, I'm hoping OU can beat them, believe we can but we better bring our A+ game, especially on defense.

Alabama and Tiger............. never write them off.....champions always come back hehe we will always rise like the real tide it always rises.

Yes

If I was only a bama fan. I love his philosophy, so it hasn't surprised me that they've won 6 titles. Hopefully Harbaugh can work the same magic for Michigan.

This is how I know the 30 for 30 on the Alabama football program is going to be epic

GOD BLESS

Hey coach? Would you come give Scott frost some tips for Nebraska football.

Alabama fans knew what they were getting

Dang, I was expecting a lot more credit to ULM for getting Alabama off its butt. The Warhawks played their hearts out and got a legitimate win over the Tide and Saban. But, as a ULM alum who attended that game in 2007, I knew that Bama was never going to let that happen again and no Group of Five team has won in Tuscaloosa since.

In the end coach saban will have numbers that no one will surpass. Lately his offence is explosive to go along with his specialty the tide dee. Bama stock in 2021 is as high as its ever been.

Roll tide

RIP Mal Moore. We all owe you one

I'll be honest. I'm a die hard Nebraska cornhusker fan. But I love nick saban. And there for I love Alabama. I always root for em. My friends call me a band wagon. But what is there not to love about Alabama. They are great year in and year out

Please tell me that this is a series🤔 Roll Tide🐘

Those banned years was so hurtful to see my team not being competitive

I had every one of those coaches smh but shout out to Shula for holding it down

I can’t wait to see this about Scott Frost in a decade

Outstanding idea, AL.com. I like the effort, but there's one glaring piece to this puzzle you missed, unfortunately. First, let's cover the good. We needed a documentary like this to really encapsulate how far we've actually come in the past 11 years of the Saban Dynasty. Where we are now is unprecedented enough, but to remember the base line era of malaise he launched us from is practically superhuman. I was a student at the university from 2005-08 and it's embarrassing now to look back on the post-Stallings years and remember how effortlessly we excused our mediocrity; how we arrived there by medicating ourselves with the same old heroic retellings of glories past. I was a diehard Bama fan back when we weren't that great, so I'll be the first to admit we really didn't know then just how far away from the promised land we really were. Thankfully, one man knew. That man was Mal Moore, and his exclusion from the first part of this story is inexcusable. Mal Moore knew what we'd deteriorated into, and he knew what it would take to be a championship program again. He was that critical bridge linking the Bryant & Stallings eras of Alabama football to the modern giant we are now. Without Mal Moore, Alabama football isn't ALABAMA FOOTBALL in the year 2018. There's no excuse for not mentioning just how important Mal Moore truly was to erecting the current foundation of modern excellence at Alabama.