Unbelievable is the only word I can think of right now. It's certainly the homerun type of hire that Alabama needed to get back into the elite. Bill you are a dolphins fan, what was the deal there? Was he failing like Steve Spurrier did with the Redskins? Is Nick Saban the new Larry Brown?
I'm neither a Nick Saban fan nor a detractor, but I'm dumbfounded at the tidal wave of Larry Brownisms that have been tossed at him. I put myself in his shoes, and I wonder where the problem is. It's obvious to me that he did not seek either the Dolphins job or the AL job. Of course, he had no intention of going to AL a couple of months ago, but when they offer him more than twice what any other college football coach is making for double-digit years, what is a guy to do? AL did what no other college had done prior to their offer to Saban.....They neutralized the only clear attraction of the NFL....the money. IMO it's a great long-term living environment and still one of the most prestigious college coaching jobs in America. Once again, an air-brained media feeding frenzy has gone over the edge.
Good point, Sid. It appears Alabama's offer moved Saban... ...to a bigger house. When someone backs a truck full of cash up to your door and offers you a job, and a prestigious job at that, what do you do?
If Saban is the new "Larry Brown" the Alabama fans will be celebrating in a few years. There are 12 ex and current Pistons players who have a championship ring because of Brown who led Detroit to an NBA championship over a Laker team, led by Shaq and Kobie, that nearly everyone thought would destroy the Pistons. Saban is an outstanding coach. He rebult a MSU program whose cupboard was bare we he got there and coached LSU to a BSC championship game win. He probably will not stay at Alabame for 10 years but when he leaves Alabama, the team will be in much better shape than it was when he arrived. When it comes to great coaches, the SEC is now loaded with 'em.
Bobda, I agree, I think. The good news: The football team is in pretty good shape, Saban does not have to rebuild per se. He should be able to hold on to this year's recruits and add to the current commits for a good class. The bad news: I don't think he is the guy to coach Alabama for the next 20 years, but maybe that guy is a position coach somewhere right now and in 7 or 8 years will be ready to step in when Saban decides to move on (or the infamous Alabama impatience wants to fire him after a less than stellar year). :?
Great observation, Bobda. I wish you would throw that rationale in the face of the ESPN morning ranter, Colin Cowherd, who spent a lot of air time yesterday denigrating Brown and, by association, Saban. But like me, I'm sure you have better ways to spend your time.
Saban is a very good college coach. That's where he belongs. Sort of a lite version of Pete Carroll. He's doing the right thing.
I agree with you guys....I don't have any problem with Saban OR Larry Brown. Screw Cowherd and ESPN. Saban is a fine, fine football coach. The Tide got their man. Bama fans can expect another title to add to their collection in short order imho.
Hey Bobda Let's not forget that Brown had coached for decades in the NBA and never had a title. He's the one who waited longer than any of the players and he's the one who said that Detroit was his "last place to coach." Oh, yeah, and he's the first one to have left the Pistons to go to NY which he may have accurately described as his "last place." As for the Tide, the have a coach for the next decade.... or at least for a year or two until the Raiders or some other team pays more.
George... <t>We agree yet again. The SEC just got tougher. Watch the recruiting pick up in the next two weeks as well.</t>
8) Not to stir the pot but... What happens when Texas A&M offers this guy even more money? My team lost and I'm taking down the whole ship... ..........JO'Co
Speculation is high regarding the replacement for Saban at Miami Dolphins. I mean absolutely no disrespect to KP, but wouldn't it be a hoot to see another Shula succeed at Miami? He has the right last name to be considered. I am of the opinion that Alabama did not give Shula a long enough stay to allow him to show what he can do. Wouldn't it be ironic if Miami takes Shula and wins and Bama takes Saban and doesn't?
Tom, I have said the same thing since Shula was fired. Saban will have a very good team next year. Shula would have had a very good team at Alabama next year. Shula has recruited well and anyone who coached at Alabama would do well next year. I think Shula deserved another year, but long term solutions are not as important to some as to others. I also hope Shula does well whereever he goes. I am glad we have a coach and I hope he takes us to the SECC game. I just don't see Saban staying at Alabama for more than 5 or 6 years and then we get to go through all of this again. Oh well lets see how recruiting goes.
Interesting article in the Det. Freep this morning. After Richrod decided to stay at WVa. it almost seemed as though Ala. stopped searching for a coach. At the same time, Saban was strongly denying that he was planning to leave to go to Alabama. So either the Tide was lucky that after theh season Saban agreed to take their offer or....someone was lying.
Gipper, I agree there are a number of unanswered questions. The days of old with Bear Bryant and Woody Hayes are long gone.