Alabama win back-to-back title 42-14 over Notre Dame
Saban reflects on lessons from his father as his Alabama team win their third title in four years
At some point, this much success should have brought joy, or at the very least, a deep sense of satisfaction. It's only made Nick Saban chase each win more relentlessly than the last. If nothing else, it will be interesting to see him try to top this one.
Alabama's Crimson Tide slipped on the BCS crown for the third time in the last four years, crushing Notre Dame 42-14. Quarterback AJ McCarron threw four touchdown passes and finished with 264 yards through the air, while running back Eddie Lacy and receiver Amari Cooper had two scores each as the Crimson Tide claimed back-to-back titles.
Almost as impressively, they forced a wide grin from their sometimes dour and always serious coach. The win was his fourth national championship, which left him tied with Notre Dame's Frank Leahy for second on the all-time list, behind only Paul "Bear" Bryant, the most famed of his Alabama predecessors.
"I'm satisfied with this team because of what they accomplished," Saban said afterward. But he has a rule that celebrations are cut short after 48 hours - and a rule is a rule. "Two days from now," Saban said without a hint of humour, "we got to start on next year."
The weekend before the championship, more than a few people wondered whether Saban might finally open up. Saban did - just not the way most expected.
He began with a story about inheriting his uncompromising work ethic from a father that he and everyone else in their tucked-away corner of West Virginia always called "Big Nick".