We share the same mindset regarding mentioning other "businesses" when trying to promote "yours". I'm also not a fan of inserting the divine every time a microphone is stuck in one's face and trying to convince me that God had a hand in which combo meal they ordered in the Burger King Drive-thru.
But I also have to ask myself is the aspect of negative recruiting (which doesn't break any NCAA rules) such a big deal that we potentially pass on what is otherwise a helluva coach? Because I firmly believe it is very common practice on the recruiting trail. Even by our staff. Nick Saban himself may not use those tactics, but I have zero doubt that we've had people on the staff and more than likely have people on staff now who do it. Kirby Smart is prime example number one. I highly doubt Kirby just started implementing negative recruiting when he became UGA's coach.
Regarding Dabo, I'm not a fan of some of his quirks off the field and the rah-rah, "Jesus is a Clemson fan" type methods. But outside of proof that he is breaking NCAA rules and running a truly dirty program. I would be willing to put up with the quirks. Because he has proven to me he can recruit, develop and coach at a very high level. It also appears he's not a flash in the pan, "one hit wonder" type coach. He's one of the best coaches in the country and more than likely hasn't hit his prime as a HC. We can hire just about anybody and win ten games (possibly 11) at Alabama. But we can't just hire "anybody" to win championships on a consistent basis. Sure, you'll have your instances where coaches like Gene Cheeznips win one here and there. But it's the "Saban", "Meyer" type coaches who keep bringing you back there on a consistent basis. Dabo's "only" won one, but he is showing the signs of developing into one of those elite few who can bring greatness to a program.