I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who's perception of Saban changed over his Texas deal.
Yes, as a fan, it was insulting that he would allow his agent to keep that talk alive. If that was the extent of it, I prolly could jump over it (if it was just about the money...I understand there is a type mentality where a person can never have enough.)
But what bothered me most was the damage the Texas talk did to the prospects of pulling off an historic three-peat. At the time, some argued that having the team wondering if the coach was going to jump ship had no effect on team chemistry or moral.
That argument was negated when Saban recently explained the early draft predictions were what threw his most recent team a loop.
As focused as Saban is on every little detail I still can't understand why he would have allowed Sexton to undermine everything he had been working for by keeping the team and fanbase guessing where he was going to coach.
So what would I have had him do? Afterall, he's said he couldn't stop the rumors.
He should have called Sexton..."One more story generated by you in the media about me leaving Bama and I'm finding a new agent."
Then hold a press conference...make reference to Coach Bryant's disdain for cow colleges, then ask why anyone in their right mind would think he (Saban) would consider leaving Bama for a school with a cow for a mascot.
Without the team being upset, they go on to win the three-peat. Mal Moore then sends Saban a contract with the amount blank, and tells Saban to fill it in as he sees fit.
Things might not have worked out exactly that way, but I'm sorry Saban went the route he went. I'm very pleased he's still our coach, I hope he says a long time yet. But I do miss the chill bumps I used to get over the sight of Coach Bryant on the field.
Yes, as a fan, it was insulting that he would allow his agent to keep that talk alive. If that was the extent of it, I prolly could jump over it (if it was just about the money...I understand there is a type mentality where a person can never have enough.)
But what bothered me most was the damage the Texas talk did to the prospects of pulling off an historic three-peat. At the time, some argued that having the team wondering if the coach was going to jump ship had no effect on team chemistry or moral.
That argument was negated when Saban recently explained the early draft predictions were what threw his most recent team a loop.
As focused as Saban is on every little detail I still can't understand why he would have allowed Sexton to undermine everything he had been working for by keeping the team and fanbase guessing where he was going to coach.
So what would I have had him do? Afterall, he's said he couldn't stop the rumors.
He should have called Sexton..."One more story generated by you in the media about me leaving Bama and I'm finding a new agent."
Then hold a press conference...make reference to Coach Bryant's disdain for cow colleges, then ask why anyone in their right mind would think he (Saban) would consider leaving Bama for a school with a cow for a mascot.
Without the team being upset, they go on to win the three-peat. Mal Moore then sends Saban a contract with the amount blank, and tells Saban to fill it in as he sees fit.
Things might not have worked out exactly that way, but I'm sorry Saban went the route he went. I'm very pleased he's still our coach, I hope he says a long time yet. But I do miss the chill bumps I used to get over the sight of Coach Bryant on the field.