It predates the ... uhm ... spread of tempo spread RPO offenses, on account of which Saban concluded great defense is no longer enough: you have to be able to outscore opponents. (Saban, as you may recall, tried to halt this from happening by calling for stricter rules for and enforcement of linemen down field penalties and argued it was dangerous for the health of defenders not to give the defense time to substitute. When all that failed, he went if-you-can't-beat-them-join-them ... with a vengeance.)
These links might be helpful:
X’S & O’S: RUN-PASS OPTION (RPO) SIMPLIFIED
ITP Glossary: Pre-Snap RPO Reads
lITP Glossary: Post-Snap RPO Reads
Only one team in the playoffs does not employ RPOs as part of its base offense. Guess which one.