Again, I'm referring to his hiring at LSU.
He didn't stand out - he wasn't given the hype of (for example) Urban Meyer, when he bolted Utah to Florida or Chris Petersen when he went to Washington.
Again folks - who aren't following closely - I'm referring to his hiring AT LSU, not his hiring here. And there is a thread out there that would embarrass a lot of folks when Saban came here, lots of "I don't want him here" comments.
Saban is literally the only guy we've hired post-Bryant that I wanted at the time he came here, and I never dreamed it could reach THIS level.
But at LSU? Again, I'm not saying he was even viewed as a BAD hire, I'm saying nothing stood out about him and said, "This is the guy who is going to win a national championship at LSU." Nothing.
I met the late, great bayoutider on Sunday, August 19, 2001, outside a Taco Bell in Lake Chuck. Both of us - and he was man enough to admit it on here later - both of us keeled over in laughter because he said living there they all thought Saban was the greatest thing since sliced bread (and, of course, we laughed about UAB).
And ftr - I don't think the probation argument at Mich St carries a lot of weight because he took the job here knowing we were still in a critical window.
No, Saban was NOT viewed as a bad hire by LSU, but nothing suggested he'd be that good that quick, either. That's all I'm saying.