From an intangible standpoint it’s about things like effort, mental toughness, the ability to stay focused and execute, and be a little relentless in the way you try to go about your work. We’re gladiators out there. We’re modern day gladiators and that mental toughness has got to permeate your team.
Coach Nick Saban

The 2013 NCAA football championship provided stellar performances and clear domination as Alabama’s Crimson Tide overpowered Notre Dame for its third national championship in four years. Known for his team’s football mental toughness and discipline, Coach Nick Saban led his players to a 13-1 season culminating with the title championship win of 42-14 over the Fighting Irish. The football confidence exhibited by the team throughout their season obliterated their opponents and proved their players and system were a dynasty.

Saban expressed his pride for his program when he said, “I feel great for our players, fans, administration, and the people of Alabama. Our guys maintained their focus and player through the adversity of winning during a tough season and difficult schedule. My job is to put the players in position to win. I want them to be able to look back 25 years from now and say they won the national championship.

Sports psychology in football stresses the difficulty in maintaining such a high level of mental toughness throughout back to back championship seasons. The sole loss of 2012 occurred when eventual #5 Texas A & M, behind Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, surprised Alabama with a regular season defeat. After the loss, Alabama recovered by winning the conference championship and eventual berth to the the National Championship game. Throughout the ups and downs of the season, Alabama maintained a solid example of a strong mental game of football.

Saban described how he wants his team to grow, “I think mental toughness is a perseverance that you have when you can make yourself do something that you really don’t feel like doing. In other words, you don’t really feel like getting up, but you get up. You don’t feel like practicing today, but you practice. You don’t feel like focusing today, but you focus. And, even in difficult circumstances and difficult surroundings, you can stay focused on what you need to stay focused on.

Alabama proved in recent years they are a force to be reckoned with on the football field. Nick Saban recruited tremendous talent that establishes and develops a football mental toughness year after year. His ability to develop the mental game of football in his players results in a superior football confidence, and is the main reason for the renewed football dynasty at Alabama.

In the past few years, Alabama football proved dominance in college football that rivals any system past or present. Despite losing numerous players to the NFL each year, the Crimson Tide offer tremendous depth through consistent recruitment and a solid mental toughness and game scheme. Nick Saban proves that a solid mental preparation for football and quality athletes result in championship seasons….year after year…after year.