I think its easier for Nick to land the big recruits because they all respect his background. Everyone knows his past, coaching in the NFL, with Bill Bellichek. The recruits know he knows what it takes to be a leader first, to win secondly. I'm not sure if Nick could recruit like he can if it wasn't for his NFL background. He also has disipline, something that Dinardo doesn't know about. Then again, Dinardo had to go after lesser recruits because he couldn't land the kind Nick can. and with that, Dinardo's recruits would have less discipline to start.
I'm not sure what it is, but I can tell you what it's NOT: - Stomping on logos at midfield - Cheap shots on opponents - Disciplinary problems during/off-season - Denigrating an opponent's fans/team/state - Smoking cigars to celebrate a victory - Choking a player - Punching a fan These are not blows against other teams...I've remarked several times that some of the things I've seen players do this season (for other teams) would NEVER happen under Saban. It's obvious he respects his players, and they certainly respect him. He commands it. Mike Williams' "pillow fight" comment from USC? Can you imagine that coming from Clayton/Henderson? No way. Never. There are no "egos" on the team that get out of hand. It's all business, and I love it. The excitement comes from the stands, and these guys just line up and pound and pound until the opponent collapses. It's fast, brutal, and swarming. I love it. Thanks, Nick.
I think it is recruiting. He stopped the Louisiana pipe line to Florida, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and to the other places La guys went. He sold LSU to the recruits, and with the success he was having, Saban showed them that they didn't need to leave the state to enjoy football success. Coaches before Saban ignored top La recruits for some reason. Both Jonathan Wells and Chris Howard, La High School players, went north to play college football (ohio st, mich). Now, players like that are staying in state, and thriving. I really feel that is the biggest reason for Saban's success here at LSU. Well, that and the fact he got LSU fans to care more about Wins, than passing yards.
Saban is more than a tactician, although he is clearly good at game strategy. IMO, the difference between Saban and the Tubbys of the world is character, both in terms of the character he demonstrates and in terms of the character he looks for and instills in players. One of the main reasons the players bust their a$$ for Saban is that they see him working harder than they do. He does not demand of them what he does not demand of himself, and the players see this. Also, Saban has integrity and demands that his players have integrity too. The character of this team in terms of the players' work ethic as well as the willingness of players to sacrifice their individual interests for the benefit of the team is one of its most impressive characteristics. Remember Justin Vincent's comments about how Addai and Carey have helped him step up his play? Those guys were helping him succeed because it helped the team, even though it may cost them their starting positions. In a day when me-first a$$holes like Kellen Winslow are rewarded and recognized by the world, how can anyone not be impressed by this sort of selfless, team-oriented behavior? It is no wonder why Nick Saban has described this team as the best he has ever seen in terms of team chemistry. To a man, these guys have demonstrated character that is worthy of the respect of anyone, even if they are not football fans.
DiNardo went after the good players who were borderline academic and characterwise. It didn't matter to DiNardo if the kid had been in and out of trouble of was failing Home Ec. An intelligent talented athelete will go much further than one relying solely on talent.
... go Red ... nailed! now Red, you know Tom Lemming said Mississippi has the most per capita As for Auburn's great recruiting classes ..... C'mon Dallas? Auburn hasn't had a TOP 10 class as long as I can remember and definitely not in the last five years ... Top 5 NEVER ALABAMA has had a consistent TOP 10 recruiting effort ... till they got the LITTLE HICK'RY from the NCAA ... just a love tap, and only since then ... AUBARN has had a Top 25 class ... Seems we've got a player or two from Alabama lost in that redshirt shuffle somewhere :shock:
maybe it wasn't so much Saban "learning" as it was MSU being wrong. MAYBE kif they would have changed a little bit to meet his coaching style, he would have been happier and done more. Maybe he flirted with the NFL teams there because he wasn't getting the things he needed from the administration to do as good a job as he needed to. I agree each job gives you experience BUT I doubt SABAN "learned" that much football at MSU. He knew it before he got there or MSU wouldn't have hired him. I bet he may have picked up a few people skills in dealing with administrations. I also bet there is a WORLD of difference in SKIP Bertman's athletic Dept. and MSU's and that it suits Saban a good bit better. He is rather closed mouthed about all his so this is all basically opinion, just like that reporter you quoted. At best all you can hear is one side since Nick Saban is not much to look backward. As far as him not getting recognition? This is a man who REPATEDLY gives all the credit to his assistants and players. I have yet to hear him boast or rest on his laurels. It's obvious he isn't crazy about media, he seems to view them as a neccessary evil. He seems to have straight up good Old fashioned morals. In his SEC CG post game interview he alluded to the colllege as a place for players to grow academically and socially, not just a place to play football. I think his BEST trait and the reason he will always excell is his set of values and work ethic. Just my .02
One of the most important things a coach (read that leader) must do is to persuade his minions to follow commands. That can be done or not done (see Josh Booty audibling to a play not practiced) and if done, done half heartedly or with total committment. I submit that much of what has been said in the posts above is true, but another critical component of Saban's success is that his players accept his orders and carry them out not only unquestioningly, but with the full confidence that by doing so that victory will be theirs. They believe that Saban knows what he is doing and submit willingly to be led. I just started a new thread concerning comparisons of Saban to Spurrier that also concerns this same topic. There is an intangible to real leaders, and Saban has it.
