How Many National Titles Has Alabama Football Won? (2025)

By Emma Wilson · March 3, 2029

Alabama football has won 18 national titles, according to the NCAA and major wire-service selectors such as the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, making it one of the most successful programs in college football history.

Understanding Alabama Football's National Championships

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide holds one of the most storied traditions in college football. With a legacy spanning over a century, Alabama has consistently been a powerhouse, especially under legendary coaches like Bear Bryant and Nick Saban. The program officially recognizes 18 national championships, many of which were claimed through consensus or unanimous decisions by major polls and selector organizations.

What Constitutes a National Title in College Football?

Unlike some sports with a playoff-based championship, college football national titles were historically determined by final rankings from polling bodies. Key selectors include:

Associated Press (AP) Poll: First established in 1936, voted on by media members.
Coaches Poll (formerly UPI): Rankings provided by head coaches of Division I teams.
College Football Playoff (CFP): Introduced in 2014, determines the champion via a four-team playoff.
Historical Selectors: Organizations like the Billingsley Report, DeVold System, and others recognized by the NCAA.

A "consensus" national champion is typically one who wins both major polls; a "unanimous" champion wins all recognized polls.

Year-by-Year Breakdown of Alabama's National Titles

Alabama's 18 national championships span nine different decades, highlighting sustained excellence. Below is a detailed table of each title year, the head coach, the final record, and the selector(s) that awarded the championship.

Year	Head Coach	Record	Selectors	Type
1925	Wallace Wade	10–0	National Championship Foundation, Parke Davis	Recognized retroactively
1926	Wallace Wade	9–0–1	Helms, National Championship Foundation	Retroactive
1930	Wallace Wade	10–0	Billingsley, Houlgate, National Championship Foundation	Retroactive
1934	Frank Thomas	10–0	Williamson, National Championship Foundation	Retroactive
1941	Frank Thomas	9–2	Williamson System	Retroactive
1961	Bear Bryant	11–0	FWAA, Helms	Consensus
1964	Bear Bryant	10–1	UPI (Coaches)	Split
1965	Bear Bryant	9–1–1	FWAA, Helms	Consensus
1973	Bear Bryant	11–1	Football Writers, National Championship Foundation	Unclaimed by school
1978	Bear Bryant	11–1	AP, UPI	Consensus
1979	Bear Bryant	12–0	AP, UPI	Unanimous
1992	Gene Stallings	13–0	AP, Coaches	Consensus
2009	Nick Saban	14–0	Bowl Championship Series (BCS)	Consensus
2011	Nick Saban	12–1	BCS	Consensus
2012	Nick Saban	13–1	BCS	Consensus
2015	Nick Saban	14–1	College Football Playoff	Consensus
2017	Nick Saban	13–1	College Football Playoff	Consensus
2020	Nick Saban	13–0	College Football Playoff	Unanimous

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that Alabama’s national titles are distributed across multiple eras, with six under Bear Bryant and seven under Nick Saban. The shift from poll-based titles to BCS and then CFP formats reflects evolving methodologies in determining champions. Notably, Alabama went undefeated in 10 of its 18 championship seasons, underscoring dominance when claiming titles.

Key Eras of Dominance

Bear Bryant's Legacy (1961–1979)

Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant led Alabama to six national titles (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973*, 1978, 1979). Though the 1973 title is not officially claimed by the university, it was awarded by several selectors. Bryant’s era solidified Alabama as a national powerhouse, emphasizing defense and discipline.

Nick Saban's Modern Dynasty (2009–2020)

Nick Saban brought Alabama into the modern era of college football, winning seven national championships (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020), the most by any coach in FBS history. His ability to adapt to recruiting trends, offensive evolution, and player development set a new standard for consistency at the highest level.

Why Are Some Titles Contested?

Due to the lack of a unified championship system before 2014, multiple selectors often named different teams as champions. For example:

In 1941, Alabama was named champion by the Williamson System, but Minnesota claimed the AP title.
In 1973, Alabama finished No. 1 in the final Coaches Poll, but the AP selected Notre Dame. Alabama does not claim this title.

The NCAA records list multiple selectors, but schools choose which titles to officially recognize based on criteria like final poll rankings and consensus.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Football National Titles

How many national championships has Alabama won according to the NCAA?

The NCAA records show Alabama with 18 national titles recognized by various official selectors. While the NCAA does not award a single championship itself, it acknowledges these titles based on historical polling data and selector organizations.

Does Alabama claim all 18 national titles?

Yes, the University of Alabama officially claims 18 national championships. This includes retroactive selections before the AP Poll existed and titles from the BCS and College Football Playoff eras.

How many national titles did Nick Saban win at Alabama?

Nick Saban won 7 national championships as head coach at Alabama in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020. This makes him the winningest coach in college football history in terms of national titles.

Has Alabama ever won a unanimous national title?

Yes, Alabama achieved unanimous national championships in 1979 (under Bear Bryant) and 2020 (under Nick Saban), meaning they were ranked No. 1 in all major polls, including AP and Coaches Poll.

When was Alabama's most recent national championship?

Alabama's most recent national championship was in the 2020 season, when they defeated Ohio State 52–24 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 11, 2021.

How does Alabama compare to other schools in national titles?

With 18 recognized titles, Alabama is tied with Yale for the most in NCAA history. However, Yale's titles were all pre-1930. Among modern programs, Alabama stands alone in consistency and success, ahead of schools like Oklahoma, Michigan, and Notre Dame.