OK, here is my official take on the $aban deal. I am a Saban fan, always will be. He is a heck of a good coach and nailed two SEC titles and one NC for LSU...for that, he will always have my fondest admiration. However, the man is not God-while he is a defensive genius his last game at LSU saw one of the largest last second defensive collapses I have ever seen. Furthermore, not-so-sexy Les Miles has a better record after two years than Nick Saban. Just a stat. Saban also was a great recruiter and he was very successful at LSU in large part because he built an effective wall around the state and prevented Florida State, Texas and Tennessee from loading-up on Louisiana talent like prior coaches had. I am not sure he can do that in Alabama as Tuscaloosa is in such close proximity to other SEC schools. He made Michigan State competetive but couldn't recruit above and beyond when he had to go up against Michigan, Ohio State and the usual Big 10 powers. I am not saying he will not be able to recruit at Alabama-he obviously will, it will simply be interesting to see how well he does in the heart of SEC country instead of on the perimeter that Baton Rouge is. I also wonder how enthused kids will be to play for a coach who obviously has very little program loyalty...I wonder if Tuberville, Richt and Fulmer might not point out the fact that the guy tends to stick around a program for a few years then bolts for greener pastures.:roll: I might be wrong, he may stay in Tuscaloosa until he retires, but for now he tends to pack his bags quickly. JB has already thrown down the guantlet and predicted trips to Atlanta and National Championships in a few years. Maybe. But what I promise JB and everyone else, and you can mark my words, after the 2007 season, Saban's name will be listed as a candidate for any and every NFL head coaching vacancy, and this will occur annually...it is a huge distraction. If you take him at his word, Saban would love to be a success in the NFL, but I also know he enjoys teaching college kids. So I will sit back and watch this saga unfold-the Bama nation is expecting HUGE dividends instantly as polishing their second place trophy from this years Independence Bowl isn't very satisfying. I understand that frustration. But hey, LSU is fresh off demolishing Notre Dame last night and will be loaded again next year. THAT is what I care about
