PaulP As it’s been said PaulP. What part of that comment confused you? I don’t believe that I said he would leave for another college or the NFL for that matter. You missed the boat even after you copied and pasted my original comment. Therefore, it does not appear I’m the one that is drunk. The point was simple: IF Nick decided to leave LSU none of us can control that, even if he were to leave for another college. It’s not impossible for him to go to another college although it’s very improbable. Besides, the intent of my post was to get away from the BS rumors that start every season and not enable Jerks like the one that started it.
Well, the problem is Peter King may be a jerk but he is a highly visible, well-respected jounalist jerk. When he publishes something like that, it pisses me off, sure, but the real impact comes in recruiting and team morale. The players wonder if Saban will be back. Rival coaches in the recruiting wars use it to undermine Saban's efforts. Even though I know it happens every year, I still think it is irresponsible for SI to use Saban almost as a punchline to every NFL job opening rumor.
Excellent point tigermojo: I know how you feel because I feel the same way. Recruits read these boards and if we enable it like the boy who cried wolf, they could have doubts if they read enough of it. We can't answer the rumors only coach Saban can do that. I vote to ignore them, hope the team and future recruits will do the same. As I stated, I believe Nick is honest and up front. My Grandfather always told me to never say never when it’s included in something you are not going to do. I believe coach Saban has learned similar lessons and that is why he does not come out any different than he does. He says he is happy and does not want to move his kids. We can take my last statement and make all sorts of insinuations or come to different conclusions. My understanding is: He has no intentions of leaving before his children complete high school. Now how did I come up with high school? I’m a parent and transferred twice with my employer within 3/years. It was tough on my two children. Junior high and High school is the toughest adjustment. IMO.
I also worry about when Saban might leave. When I was at LSU we were basically a terrible football team. We threw the ball too much, played very poor D, and it seemed we could never win the games we should. Under Saban this team has made unrealistic strides. LSU is now listed in the top teams in the SEC, our recruiting is better, our chances of staying ranked are better, and other teams out of conference know who the Tigers are (check out sportspages.com and look at the Arizona papers . . . they are giving the Tigers a lot of praise, and even calling our program one to aspire to). Most important the Tigers are more consistent under Saban than any coach in recent memory. But the upside to Saban possibly leaving is that we should be able to land a very good coach when he does. Saban will leave the LSU program a clean place for someone to develop very good talent and play in a conference with lots of exposure. I used to worry about "the next Curly", but I bet after Saban we will get someone good. I don't think we really need to worry about this until a few more years have passed.
