Saban after 7th title: 'I can't put into words how proud I am of this team'

Nick Saban cemented his place as the greatest coach in college football history with his record seventh national title Monday in Miami, but Alabama's leader showered praise upon his players for their work amid an unprecedented season.

"I'm just so proud of our team," said Saban, as per the Crimson White. "To go undefeated, to beat 11 SEC teams and win the national championship. We showed a lot of guts and a lot of grit out there. I can't put into words how proud I am of this team. "

After winning the 2003 National Title with LSU, Saban now has an incredible six championships in 12 years with the Crimson Tide. The 69-year-old has also lost in two championship games during that time, meaning that 66% of the national title contests since Saban took over in Tuscaloosa have included Alabama.

For a man who has done an incredible amount of winning, it speaks volumes that he puts this year's outfit up there among the best he's had.

"To me, this is the ultimate team," Saban said after the game on ESPN, as per Michelle Martinelli of For The Win. "All these guys bought into everything they needed to do to be the best players that they could be. There's more togetherness on this team than almost any other team that we've ever had, and they had to overcome and persevere, so much adversity through this season, and they've done it magnificently."