I didn't think much of him when LSU hired him. I was a junior in high school, and mainly just focused on Alabama. I didn't pay attention to recruiting all that much, and so I didn't realize Louisiana was such a fertile recruiting territory. I had no idea he was thought of as a great recruiter. I remember watching a couple of Michigan State games - they had a pretty good RB, Sedrick Irvin - in those days.
I was still under the impress that Mike DuBose was building us into a powerhouse again to really care what LSU was doing. Of course, by the time we played in Baton Rouge that year, the season had gone off the rails. Again, I didn't pay much attention to them and really only cared about how we were going to replace DuBose. fRAN certainly seemed to have things going in the right direction and even though Rohan Davey and that WR, Reed, moved the ball all over the field on us that day, I was optimistic about the future. We destroyed them in 2002 (but they had injury troubles that year, especially at QB). Then 2003 happened. At that point, I was well aware of what Nick Saban was building. After he left for the NFL after the next season, I was relieved, but everyone knew he had established that program as a staying force in the SEC.
I followed this board anxiously during the coaching search after the 2006 season. A few Auburn friends I had, one in particular, continually mocked Alabama fans for thinking we had even the smallest of shots of landing Saban. But on this board, there were a few that kept hinting that it was very possible. Of course when we were played for a fool in the Rodriguez deal, I'd just about given up hope. Then, somehow, Coach Moore got him and Terry on a plane to Tuscaloosa.
Now, I had absolutely no idea it was going to be this good. Frankly, I didn't think any coach or team was capable of this in the current era of college football. But I knew we had a coach that could get it done and bring Alabama back to where she belonged. What I figured was that we'd win the SEC by the time his first recruiting class were juniors, and perhaps challenge for the NC in the ensuing years. I figured that would be a wonderful development. Obviously, reality has been leaps and bounds better.