The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Alabama: a football coaching history

Blue Blood#1 of 138–
See Alabama’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
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Program GOAT
Nick Saban
10 Dynasty · 15 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Bear Bryant
National Program I → Dynasty (+55.8)
The fall
Ears Whitworth
Power Program I → National Program I (−18.1)
Right now
Kalen DeBoer
the 6th-best of Alabama's 11 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)ThomasDrewBryantStallingsSaban19401960198020002020

Every coach

2024–now
Kalen DeBoerinheritor
Kalen DeBoer inherited a Blue Blood Alabama and won with it.
−10.6
20–8
2007–2023
Nick Sabantransformer🏆 COY
Nick Saban took Alabama from Power Program I to Dynasty — 10 Dynasty seasons.
+41.8
206–29
2003–2006
Mike Shulainheritor
Mike Shula inherited a Power Program I Alabama and won with it.
Power Program I
26–24
2001–2002
Dennis Franchioneshort tenure
17–8
1997–2000
Mike DuBoseinheritor
Mike DuBose inherited a Blue Blood Alabama and won with it.
Blue Blood
24–23
1990–1996
Gene Stallingssustainer
Gene Stallings kept Alabama a national power for 6 seasons.
Blue Blood
70–16
1987–1989
Bill Curryinheritor
Bill Curry inherited a Blue Blood Alabama and won with it.
Blue Blood
26–10
1983–1986
Ray Perkinsinheritor
Ray Perkins inherited a Blue Blood Alabama and won with it.
−12.3
32–15
1958–1982
Bear Bryanttransformer
Bear Bryant took Alabama from National Program I to Dynasty — 5 Dynasty seasons.
+55.8
232–46
1955–1957
Ears Whitworthdecliner
Alabama fell from Power Program I to National Program I under Ears Whitworth.
−18.1
4–24
1947–1954
Red Drewinheritor
Red Drew inherited a Power Program I Alabama and won with it.
Power Program I
54–28
1936–1946
Frank Thomascaretaker
Frank Thomas held Alabama at Power Program I for 10 seasons.
Power Program I
75–18