Nick Saban calls 2023 team one of the 'most improved groups' he has coached

Alabama has turned into one of the best teams in the country over the past couple of months. We’re used to saying that at this point, but after the way the Crimson Tide began the season — seeing them in a position to win their way into a College Football Playoff has cemented this squad as one of the biggest turnarounds during his tenure.

Saban could only compare this one to one team: his national championship-winning squad from 2015 — which is pretty good company to be compared next to.

“We’ve never had a team, in my opinion, maybe there was [2014-2015] team when Jake Coker was the quarterback when we started out real shaky, in the beginning,” Saban recalled. “We unsettled at quarterback, and then he became the main quarterback and we actually ended up winning a national championship. I think that besides that team, this team is one of the most improved groups that we’ve ever had in terms of their passion, the fun that they have, the practice, focusing on trying to improve.

“This team has went through a total transition as a football team in terms of their confidence, their ability to execute their faith, trust and confidence in each other. We really just became a team over time.”

Every single soul wrote Alabama off after it lost to Texas at home during Week 2. After scoring only 17 points the week after against USF, many were ready to press the panic button in Tuscaloosa. Instead, those within the program came together and made the most out of the rest of the season.

Now, it’s paying off. Just another reason why this team has come so far — they were motivated by their loss and stayed hungry after each win.

“The Texas thing, that kind of galvanized us a little bit,” Saban continued. “We went through the quarterback thing, gave some other people some opportunities. We settled on Jalen [Milroe], who figured out this is what I have to do to be successful with this position. Tommy [Rees] did a really good job with him and our offensive staff did. The whole team has transformed itself in terms of believing in themselves and they had a lot to prove.

“I see these letters up — what’s it say? Let all the naysayers know. … So they had a lot to prove, and they’ve put a lot into it. I’m really, really proud of them in terms of creating this opportunity that they’ve created for themselves playing the SEC championship game.”

There isn’t a bigger prove-it game that Alabama will be up against all season than he SEC Championship game against top-ranked Georgia. Ask Saban after an Alabama win on Saturday whether the 2023 team is the biggest improvement story in Crimson Tide history and he may have a different answer.