Please combine with the Kiffin leaving thread if necessary. I think this is solid, stand alone topic for discussion though. I'd like to see not just "I'm glad he's gone, etc." but logical statements on how, if at all, you think this helps the team.
1. The enemy you thought you knew.
Yup, we're all surprised that this is happening, especially now. And y'know what....that means Clemson is too. You've got a ton of great footage and playcalling and ideas on what Kiffin will do vs your team. Now what do you have? Years old video from a coach on other teams? Saban said himself, the coaches confer this week on plays they'll use, and come gameday, the OC makes the calls on what's used when. As such, the fundamentals will be there, it'll just be a different personality calling plays when he thinks is right.
2. Goodbye distractions
Ok, I'll say it. I loved Kiffin (kinda). I was very excited when he came to bama. I thought this was the odd-couple match made in heaven. When a guys at the bottom, he'll generally fight that much harder to get back to the top. I think we saw that the first two seasons from Kiffin, between his QB development (which no one here can say isn't pretty damn impressive) to him finally opening up the offense the way Saban says he's wanted for a while now.
But then came year three of his time here, which quite frankly surprised many board members who are "in the know." I have no idea what goes on behind the curtain, but I take heed when certain members sway to or fro. As such, I watched the dynamic on the sidelines and in the pressers etc this year, and have to say that it looked like the relationship was deteriorating faster than would have been expected. Add that to what no one can argue is the worst play calling of the year for our team in the Peach bowl. Heck, here's some quotes from major media regarding the peach bowl....
CBS - "Lane Kiffin got too cute for too long"
ESPN - "We may never know why Lane quit running the ball"
- "The offensive play callling left many scratching their heads"
BR - "Defense wins championships, especially when your offensive play calling appears to be based on what will benefit the other team"
I don't know what happened, but if there were ever a moment when it appears that someone said, "it's my time to go" without saying it out loud, Kiffins peach bowl coaching was it. Maybe Lane legitimately can't handle the pressure of the FSU and OC job at the same time. I don't feel there's any shame in that. In any event, hopefully the drama and tension on the sideline have been removed and the team can jive.
3. In Saban we Trust = ISWT (I'd trademark this but the University would sue me)
Saban picked Kiffin. That only led to 3 SEC championships with 3 first year starting Qbs and a shot at a second national title. Despite all the history/baggage of Kiffin. ISWT
Saban picked Sark. A friend, a man he personally made a phone call for regarding the Washington head coach job back in the day, and how, like Kiffin did, fell from grace, and had nothing but baggage and problems. Here's a guy with a fresh opportunity, on the biggest stage he's been on this far in his life. The spotlight will be on him, and lesser men have crumbled. ISWT. Would Saban, with everything being where it is right now, choose to put his team in a worse position or a better position?
After Greg McElroy, Kirk Herbstreith, Paul Finebaum, and 15 other talking heads went back and forth on the breaking news, Lee Corso spoke up with possibly the definitive line that encapsulated my feelings on all this.
Coach Lee Corso - "Hey, is Coach Saban still there? Did he say he's leaving?"
Reece Davis, Desomond Howard, David Pollack, Kirk Herbstreit - "No, why."
Coach Lee Corso - "Ok then. I'm good"
1. The enemy you thought you knew.
Yup, we're all surprised that this is happening, especially now. And y'know what....that means Clemson is too. You've got a ton of great footage and playcalling and ideas on what Kiffin will do vs your team. Now what do you have? Years old video from a coach on other teams? Saban said himself, the coaches confer this week on plays they'll use, and come gameday, the OC makes the calls on what's used when. As such, the fundamentals will be there, it'll just be a different personality calling plays when he thinks is right.
2. Goodbye distractions
Ok, I'll say it. I loved Kiffin (kinda). I was very excited when he came to bama. I thought this was the odd-couple match made in heaven. When a guys at the bottom, he'll generally fight that much harder to get back to the top. I think we saw that the first two seasons from Kiffin, between his QB development (which no one here can say isn't pretty damn impressive) to him finally opening up the offense the way Saban says he's wanted for a while now.
But then came year three of his time here, which quite frankly surprised many board members who are "in the know." I have no idea what goes on behind the curtain, but I take heed when certain members sway to or fro. As such, I watched the dynamic on the sidelines and in the pressers etc this year, and have to say that it looked like the relationship was deteriorating faster than would have been expected. Add that to what no one can argue is the worst play calling of the year for our team in the Peach bowl. Heck, here's some quotes from major media regarding the peach bowl....
CBS - "Lane Kiffin got too cute for too long"
ESPN - "We may never know why Lane quit running the ball"
- "The offensive play callling left many scratching their heads"
BR - "Defense wins championships, especially when your offensive play calling appears to be based on what will benefit the other team"
I don't know what happened, but if there were ever a moment when it appears that someone said, "it's my time to go" without saying it out loud, Kiffins peach bowl coaching was it. Maybe Lane legitimately can't handle the pressure of the FSU and OC job at the same time. I don't feel there's any shame in that. In any event, hopefully the drama and tension on the sideline have been removed and the team can jive.
3. In Saban we Trust = ISWT (I'd trademark this but the University would sue me)
Saban picked Kiffin. That only led to 3 SEC championships with 3 first year starting Qbs and a shot at a second national title. Despite all the history/baggage of Kiffin. ISWT
Saban picked Sark. A friend, a man he personally made a phone call for regarding the Washington head coach job back in the day, and how, like Kiffin did, fell from grace, and had nothing but baggage and problems. Here's a guy with a fresh opportunity, on the biggest stage he's been on this far in his life. The spotlight will be on him, and lesser men have crumbled. ISWT. Would Saban, with everything being where it is right now, choose to put his team in a worse position or a better position?
After Greg McElroy, Kirk Herbstreith, Paul Finebaum, and 15 other talking heads went back and forth on the breaking news, Lee Corso spoke up with possibly the definitive line that encapsulated my feelings on all this.
Coach Lee Corso - "Hey, is Coach Saban still there? Did he say he's leaving?"
Reece Davis, Desomond Howard, David Pollack, Kirk Herbstreit - "No, why."
Coach Lee Corso - "Ok then. I'm good"
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