What classifies a 'storied' college football program?

Hello folks! First off, apologies if this is a bit of a newbie question. I often read about 'storied college football programs' on ESPN and stuff, but what exactly does a 'storied' program mean? Is it all about age and historical significance, or achievements and recognition? Or some mix of both perhaps?

Sure, no problem at all! The term 'storied' usually refers to a college football program that has a rich history of success, tradition, and notable contributions to the sport. It can be a combination of multiple factors.

To start with, championship titles, both national and conference, are definitely significant aspects of a storied program. A program is generally considered storied if it has won many titles and consistently ranks highly in the sport.

Next, a storied program often has a rich history, which usually includes legendary coaches who left a significant impact on the sport and long-standing traditions unique to the program. For example, a college with a coaching legend who has a record of incredible success would be considered storied.

Thirdly, the presence of memorable, successful players who went on to professional football careers often bolster the reputation of a program. If a school has produced a good number of NFL draft picks or even hall of famers, it certainly adds to its storied status.

Lastly, consistent high-level performance over an extended period can also classify a program as storied. This doesn't mean they have to win the championship every year, but consistently competing at a high level and often making bowl games is also a contributing factor.

Take Alabama Crimson Tide or Notre Dame Fighting Irish as examples. Both programs have storied histories with numerous championship titles, well-known coaches, many NFL alumni, and decades of sustained success. These make them some of the most 'storied' programs in college football.