2009 MacArthur Trophy Recipient

University of Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide (14-0) claimed the MacArthur Bowl as their prize for beating, 37-21, the Texas Longhorns (13-1) in the Citi BCS National Championship before a sellout crowd of 94,906 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell handed the national championship trophy to Head Coach Nick Saban who accepted the prize on behalf of his team the following day during a press conference at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel.

Alabama, the 2009 SEC Champions, defeated Texas, the 2009 Big 12 Champions, marking the Crimson Tide’s first national title since 1992. The 1992 Alabama team, coached by Gene Stallings, finished undefeated (13-0) after a 34-13 victory against the Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl. In addition to the 2009 and 1992 championships, Alabama claimed the MacArthur Trophy in 1961, 1978 and 1979 under Hall of Fame Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The national title is the first for Alabama during the BCS era, which began in 1998, and the second for Coach Nick Saban who led the LSU Tigers to the BCS crown in 2003. Saban becomes the first coach in the AP Poll era, which began in 1936, to win national titles with two different schools, and the second coach to win two titles during the BCS era along with Florida Coach Urban Meyer.