How Many National Championships Has Alabama Won in Football?

By Sarah Miller · December 3, 2044

Alabama has won 18 recognized national championships in football, according to the NCAA and major wire services like the AP and Coaches Poll.

Understanding Alabama's Football National Championships

The University of Alabama boasts one of the most storied programs in college football history. With a total of 18 officially recognized national titles, the Crimson Tide ranks among the most successful teams in NCAA history. These championships span over a century, from the early dominance under Wallace Wade to the modern dynasty led by Nick Saban.

Breakdown of Championship Eras

Alabama's national titles have come in distinct eras, each defined by legendary coaches and iconic players:

Early Dominance (1920s–1930s): Under coach Wallace Wade, Alabama claimed multiple national titles based on retroactive selections by major polls.
Bear Bryant Era (1960s–1970s): Paul "Bear" Bryant led the Crimson Tide to six national championships, solidifying Alabama as a powerhouse.
Nick Saban Dynasty (2009–2020): Saban brought unprecedented modern success, winning seven national titles at Alabama, including five in a ten-year span.

Championships by Coach

Wallace Wade: 3 titles (1925, 1926, 1930)
Frank Thomas: 1 title (1934)
Harold Drew: 1 title (1961)
Bear Bryant: 6 titles (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979)
Gene Stallings: 1 title (1992)
Nick Saban: 6 titles (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020)

Detailed Year-by-Year National Championships

Year	Coach	Final Record	Poll(s) Recognizing Title	Bowl Game
1925	Wallace Wade	10-0	Billingsley, Boand, Houlgate, NCF	Rose Bowl (vs. Washington)
1926	Wallace Wade	9-0-1	Boand, Houlgate, NCF	Rose Bowl (vs. Washington State)
1930	Wallace Wade	10-0	Houlgate, NCF	None
1934	Frank Thomas	10-0	AP, Boand, Dickinson, Houlgate, Litkenhous, Williamson	None
1941	Frank Thomas	9-2	Williamson	Orange Bowl (vs. Texas A&M)
1961	Bear Bryant	11-0	FWAA, Helms, NFF	Cotton Bowl (vs. Arkansas)
1964	Bear Bryant	10-1	UPI, NFF	Orange Bowl (vs. Nebraska)
1965	Bear Bryant	9-1-1	FWAA, NFF	Orange Bowl (vs. Michigan State)
1973	Bear Bryant	11-1	UPI	Orange Bowl (vs. Penn State)
1978	Bear Bryant	11-1	AP, UPI	Sugar Bowl (vs. Penn State)
1979	Bear Bryant	12-0	AP, UPI	Sugar Bowl (vs. Arkansas)
1992	Gene Stallings	13-0	AP, Coaches	SEC Championship & Sugar Bowl (vs. Miami)
2009	Nick Saban	14-0	BCS	BCS National Championship (vs. Texas)
2011	Nick Saban	12-1	BCS	BCS National Championship (vs. LSU)
2012	Nick Saban	13-1	BCS	BCS National Championship (vs. Notre Dame)
2015	Nick Saban	14-1	CFP	College Football Playoff (vs. Clemson)
2017	Nick Saban	13-1	CFP	College Football Playoff (vs. Georgia)
2020	Nick Saban	13-0	CFP	College Football Playoff (vs. Ohio State)

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table highlights Alabama's sustained excellence across decades. While early titles were awarded by mathematical systems or select polls, the modern era uses consensus-driven methods like the BCS and CFP. Notably, Saban’s six titles at Alabama tie him with Bear Bryant for the most by any coach in program history.

Alabama's 18 titles include consensus wins, split decisions, and system-based awards. The 1992 and 2009+ championships are particularly significant due to their undisputed nature via major bowl victories.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama's National Championships

How many national championships has Alabama won in football?

Alabama has won 18 recognized national championships in college football, as acknowledged by the NCAA and major polling organizations such as the AP Poll, Coaches Poll, and College Football Playoff.

Which coach won the most national titles at Alabama?

Nick Saban and Bear Bryant are tied for the most national championships at Alabama, each winning six titles. Saban achieved his between 2009 and 2020, while Bryant's came between 1961 and 1979.

Did Alabama win a national championship in 2020?

Yes, Alabama won the 2020 national championship by defeating Ohio State 52-24 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. The team finished the season 13-0 under head coach Nick Saban.

Why does Alabama claim 18 national championships?

Alabama claims 18 national championships because those years are recognized by major selectors such as the AP Poll, Coaches Poll, BCS, CFP, or historical systems endorsed by the NCAA. The university officially recognizes titles where it was ranked No. 1 in at least one major poll or selector.

Has Alabama won more national championships than any other team?

As of 2025, Alabama is tied with Yale for the most national championships in college football history with 18. However, most of Yale’s titles came in the 19th century. In the modern era, Alabama is widely regarded as the leader in national championships.