I think a lot of his problem was also that he, like Spurrier, could not control grown men like they could with college players. They're style does not fit. Saban almost got his ass whooped by more than one of his players. Nose tackle Keith Traylor and LBer Zach Thomas. Saban didn't Ike being called "Nick" but some of his players did. He didn't like having a defensive play he called, switched in the huddle but Zach did it on occasion. Here's a read on it. http://deadspin.com/im-a-grown-ass-man-how-miami-trolled-the-hell-out-o-1723879297
The guy who paid a player's high school coach 150K JUST to help recruit a player to Bama? lol Think about the money for a sec. If they'll pay that kind of dough for some just to "help," think how much they'd be willing to give the player/player's family? That's a commitment.
Verne Lumpdick and Mary Daniel San mentioned that Bama used Blake Sims as the scout team QB last week. I'm trying to figure out how that is legal.