COUNTDOWN KING: Roger Shultz Launches Alabama’s 66-Day March to Kickoff—Crimson Tide Icon, Title-Winning Coach, and Ultimate Team A

Roger Shultz is many things to the Alabama Crimson Tide faithful—legendary center, championship coach, inspirational speaker, and larger-than-life personality—but in the heart of the summer, with fall football just over the horizon, he’s something else entirely: the Countdown King. With exactly 66 days remaining until Alabama’s 2025 football season kicks off, Shultz has assumed his now-iconic role, launching the Tide’s 66-day march to game day with the same infectious energy, grit, and pride he’s brought to every phase of his Crimson Tide life.

It’s more than just a symbolic gesture. Shultz’s kickoff of the countdown has evolved over the years into an unofficial, yet essential tradition among Alabama fans, one that signals the beginning of a spiritual return to Bryant-Denny Stadium, to Saturdays defined by thunderous roars, crimson flags waving, and a program forever chasing excellence. When Roger Shultz speaks, especially this time of year, Alabama listens.

He didn’t earn the title of Countdown King by accident. For more than a decade, Shultz has embraced this role with the same intensity he once used to bulldoze defensive linemen during his All-SEC playing career in the late 1980s. Back then, under coach Bill Curry, Shultz was the cerebral anchor of the offensive line—a player who not only delivered power but understood the game with a coach’s mind. That same intellect and emotion drive his passionate annual kickoff message, which this year was equal parts motivational, reflective, and forward-looking.

Shultz took to social media to make it official: 66 days. He posted a video in which he appeared clad in Alabama gear, standing before a backdrop of historic team photos and trophies, eyes gleaming with pride and anticipation. He talked about the past—the legends who wore the Crimson and White before and after him—but most importantly, he talked about what lies ahead.

“This isn’t just about counting down the days,” Shultz said in the video. “It’s about waking up every single one of them knowing what’s coming, what’s expected, and what we stand for. It’s about remembering who we are, who we’ve been, and who we’re going to be.”

Those words echoed across Crimson Tide Nation, setting the tone not only for fans but for players and coaches as well. Shultz’s connection to the program transcends eras. Recruits hear his name as part of the lineage of greatness. Veterans know him as a man who lived the grind, won at the highest levels, and came back to share his wisdom as a coach. Newcomers quickly learn that he’s a walking embodiment of what it means to be part of Alabama football.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Shultz dreamed of wearing crimson from the time he first learned to walk. He lived and breathed the culture, and when the opportunity came to become a member of the Tide, he grabbed it with both hands and never let go. He played from 1987 to 1990, serving as a crucial component of the offensive line. Though the Tide didn’t win a national title during his playing days, Shultz set a standard for effort, dedication, and leadership that continues to be referenced today.

His transition into coaching was seamless, aided by his deep understanding of offensive line play and his innate ability to connect with players. Shultz eventually helped coach a national title team—cementing his status not only as a program alum but as someone who shaped its destiny from the sideline as well as the field.

But Shultz’s role in the culture of Alabama football is even bigger than his resume. He has become a spokesman for everything the program represents—toughness, discipline, unity, and an uncompromising pursuit of greatness. His work with youth football camps, public speaking engagements, and television appearances has made him a recognizable face across the region, and his authentic love for the Tide makes him one of the most trusted voices in Alabama sports media.

That’s part of what makes the countdown launch so special. It’s not just a marketing gimmick or a nostalgic gesture. When Shultz begins the march, it’s as if he’s igniting a collective fire that burns in the heart of every fan, every coach, and every player who’s been waiting for football’s return. For the next 66 days, fans will look forward to his updates, his stories, and his wisdom.

Each day leading up to kickoff, Shultz plans to feature a player from the past, a defining play, or a powerful message that reminds fans why Alabama football is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life. This daily ritual has become something of an online pilgrimage for Tide Nation. Fans engage, repost, share their memories, and debate their own top players and moments. In doing so, Shultz fosters something more than hype—he fosters community.

This year, the countdown arrives at a critical juncture in the program’s evolution. The Crimson Tide are entering the 2025 season with high expectations but also new challenges. A crop of young stars is poised to step into leadership roles. The coaching staff, while experienced, must guide a roster that blends youthful energy with championship ambitions. Every detail matters. And in Alabama, that march toward perfection begins well before the first whistle.

Shultz understands this better than anyone. He’s been in those locker rooms. He knows what it takes to endure the summer workouts, the fall camps, the film sessions that stretch into the night. He’s seen what separates contenders from champions.

“This is where the edge is found,” Shultz explained during the kickoff video. “In these 66 days. Not on game day. Right now—when nobody’s watching, and everybody else is relaxing, our guys are building something. I’ve seen it. I know the signs. And I’m telling you, this team is ready.”

The words carried a weight that only someone like Shultz could deliver. For the fanbase, it’s more than reassurance—it’s prophecy. Shultz has seen enough Alabama football to recognize when a team is special. His voice during the countdown doesn’t just stir memories; it stirs belief.

What’s remarkable about Shultz is that he brings this energy without ego. Despite his accolades and prominence, he remains deeply humble. He credits his coaches, his teammates, and the fans for everything he’s become. In every message, he deflects attention back to the program. He refers to himself not as a star, but as a steward.

And that stewardship is contagious. Over the years, the countdown has inspired others to launch similar traditions. Former players and fans from other SEC programs have tried to replicate the formula, but none have achieved what Shultz has: a truly organic connection rooted in legacy and passion.

He also uses the countdown as a teaching tool. Each day is a lesson in Alabama history—a mini-masterclass in what it takes to wear the Crimson Tide jersey. He’s not afraid to challenge fans to remember not only the wins but the struggles. He talks about the lean years, the rebuilding years, the seasons when titles were out of reach but the standard never wavered.

“That’s what separates Alabama,” he said in a recent interview. “We’re not just about the trophies. We’re about the process. And the process starts now.”

Looking ahead, the excitement around this particular countdown is amplified by what’s at stake this season. The Tide have a veteran quarterback returning, a reloaded defense with some of the fastest edge rushers in the country, and a deep, experienced offensive line that Shultz himself has praised as one of the most fundamentally sound units in recent memory.

The SEC race is always a grind, but Alabama’s schedule gives them opportunities to make statements early. And as Shultz has pointed out, every day between now and that first game is a chance to sharpen the blade. “By the time they hit that field, they’ll be ready to make the rest of the country remember who we are,” he declared.

Through it all, Shultz will be there—day after day, post after post—connecting past to present, fan to player, tradition to future. In doing so, he’s not just counting down. He’s building up.

As Alabama marches toward another chapter in its storied football legacy, Roger Shultz continues to be the heartbeat of its preseason soul. He’s more than the Countdown King—he’s a living bridge between eras, a voice of wisdom, and the unwavering spirit of a program that doesn’t just aspire to greatness, but expects it.

So as the clock ticks and the days dwindle, the Tide faithful find themselves once again rallied around Shultz, following his lead, counting every day not with impatience but with purpose. Sixty-six days may seem like a long wait, but with Roger Shultz leading the way, every single one of them matters.

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