Dr. Witt had far, far more to do with the growth than football - he wanted to see the University of Alabama become one of the premier academic state universities, and he has Alabama moving in that direction now. The acceptance rate at Bama now is quite low for a public university, and the incoming freshman each year are very impressive, academically - the bar has been raised.
Dr. Witt recognized the value of the combination of student recruitment and scholarship money.
Different from most academics, and in stark contrast to all of UA's presidents after David Matthews, he also recognized athletics as being a distinctive competence....something to be used to further the University as a whole. Those predecessors, including Andrew Sorenson, and most disappointingly, Joab Thomas, viewed the Athletic Department as a cross to bear.
When, after years of mis-steps and misfortune, the stars aligned and we got Saban, it was the best pairing of HFC and President since Bryant and Rose. Maybe since Wade and Denny. Maybe ever.
While their external demeanors are different, I firmly believe that Nick Saban and Robert Witt have far more in common than they do differences.
One of many examples: they recognized the need to harness the incredible passion of fans and alumni. So they gave them jobs. Witt assigned grass-roots student recruitment to alumni, within the structure of the National Alumni Association and its chapters. Saban asked the fanbase to show up at games, be loud and supportive, and don't trash players on the radio.
The Alumni delivered in bushels of high achievers. With notable loudmouthed exceptions, so did
the fanbase.
Previously, that passion had no direction, so it found outlets that weren't always the ones you'd like to see. Rather than fighting it, Witt and Saban both harnessed it and used to to great effect.
Plus, Witt also caught a huge break in that a US Senator of 30+ years seniority is a UA grad and huge fan. Shelby Engineering Quad is a huge boon to recruitment of highly qualified students and the faculty that wants to work with them.
I could go on for pages. But the professional marriage of Nick Saban and Robert Witt will affect the University of Alabama long after everyone on this forum is dead and gone.