The man rescued the LSU football program. It was in the Archer/Hallman/DiNardo doldrums, and two years later it was SEC Champ. Four years later, it was BCS champ. Seven years later, it remains among the nation's elite. Thank you, Nick. Whatever your shortcomings, I believe you when you say your heart was in the college game. I watched you on the Dolphins' sideline, and it was sad to see you so sad. I'm glad you're doing what's right for you and your family. You could not have done a good job for the Dolphins if you were unhappy. Now I look forward to LSU kicking your butt every year! :helmet:
Absolutely agreed. I don't care about what we might have done for him. I'm just thankful for what he did for us.
I really agree with you. He took our program, that was struggling to be a top 25 program, and won 2 SEC's and on NC. He left the program a top 5 program, and in great shape so we could, and did, stay there. He left for what he thought were greener pastures. He learned, as many did before him (carrol, spurrier ect), that it is a different game at that level. He worked his tail off and ended up 6-10, with no reason to believe next year would be much better (oldest team in NFL, average QB). He was given the best contract in the history of football! 32 Million guaranteed! With the opportunity to go back to a system in which he was successful. I have to believe that most people would do the same thing. True he did make some huge errors with the press ("I am not going to be the coach at Alabama"), and that, along with his "suitcase Saban" tag, will hurt him in recruiting. LSU fans please remember this, he did not leave LSU for BAMA!!!!!!! I respect him, and I always will, for what he did for OUR program. I could never hate somebody that has done so much for LSU football. And quit worrying about BAMA. Our program is so much better than theirs! The balance of power in the state of AL will even out, and we will be the better for it! Nick burned too many bridges to recruit the way he used to in LA. Sure he will get a couple, but we will get the best, and we will continue to stay on top in the near future! So, to Nick Saban, I say "THANKS!". But I don't wish him luck!
No one should knock Saban's accomplishments with LSU. Where I take exception to this thread, though, and what I have hated so much with what underlies the Miles bashing, is the notion that Saban did little or nothing wrong while at LSU. His coaching was not always perfect, and he did things his way. What really got me about him most, however, were the incessant "Saban might be leaving..." rumors. This hampered recruiting and made life difficult for the admin. The way Saban strung people along during Christmas 2004 finally got me. Saban put LSU through fits. The guy has little regard for anyone but himself. He practically told his family to screw-off - remember the "kid's just have to get over it" comments. If he loves kids so much he could have started by seeing to his own.
Sorry, I just can't respect a man that is a compulsive liar. I appreciate what he did while at LSU, but you can't say the man doesn't have issues. Hell, props for going to Bama, but for the love of money, tell the truth a couple times Nicky!
To be honest, it's hard for me to fault people for looking after their own best interests (legally). It's hard to argue that Saban's move wasn't motivated solely by money. Saban had pro experience under Bill Belichick before his college days, and he saw the tremendous pressures and responsibilities that come with a head coaching job in the NFL. He has huge success at LSU and leaves for the Dolphins (and a bigger paycheck) ostensibly because he wanted the challenge of turning around a once-great, now-fallen program. But now, only 2 years in, he's alredy become so disillusioned with the pro game and his "heart was truly in the college game" all along? If that's true, why leave a college program where you have had consistent success? Trust me, I'm not personally offended by him taking the Bama offer. If any of us were offered that kind of money, we'd take the job too. What I take great issue with is the shady and dishonest way he has handled business. First with the way he announced his decision to leave LSU one week before the Capital One bowl and his comments that his family was happy in BR and had no interest in the Miami job. Now we have the infamous "I will not be the next coach at Alabama" comment. As Urban Meyer pointed out, the best way to handle the media questions is "no comment." It's the same problem I have with players who say they'll return for one more year, only to head off to the pros a few weeks later. An athlete or coach absolutely has to look out for his best interests, but please don't blow smoke up my behind. Anyway, if Bama wants Saban, it's fine by me and will just make the SEC all that more interesting next season. We've got a fine coach and a great team that I'll be more than happy to put on the field against a Saban-led Bama team anytime. :thumb:
Honestly, back in December when he was asked if he was going to Bama and he said no, I think he meant it. But things change. People change their minds. Maybe it was the money, but now that I see the difference I don't think that was it. I think he honestly missed college football, and I think if the Miami owner (Huizanga?) had asked him to stay, he probably would have, at least another year. I look forward to having another dominating SEC team in the conference, it will help our rankings when we beat them. I'm tired of all the name calling. If you've never changed your mind or lied then bash on, otherwise you'd better board up that glass house you're living in. {Stepping down off the soap-box now...}:redface: :crystal: :geauxtige
