If Coach were a message board reader, which I am 100% sure that he is not, this thread would not be the one he would be checking out. He has always been a team guy, one that deflects praise to others and keeps humble in being the success that he has become. As a perfectionist, he has created a monster at the University. We have a top notch program that recruits the best players, coaches and support staff which have created a winning environment. We have built state of the art facilities with the bankroll that came in the form of multiple championships...all within a ten year span.
The first day he was named head coach I was shocked. I can remember admiring him at LSU and when he finally landed in T-Town I was floored. I think I am still in shock. I knew what would happen then and he has exceeded all of my expectations. Much like Coach Bryant in his time, Saban is a living legend right now. Many considered him a hired gun when he got here...off to the next challenge after a little success at the Capstone. He flirted with leaving a time or two but he stayed and he is here until he feels he has lost his effectiveness. And after a few short weeks ago on a rowdy afternoon in West Georgia many of the Tide and True were ready to send him on his way - just like that.
A fickle and spoiled bunch we have become. We can empathize with programs like USC or Oklahoma or even Miami...traditional powers once on top but just unable to get back there. We can empathize the likes of, gulp, UT - a program mired in coaching turnover, let down and a laughing stock around the nation. But, empathy be damned, we do not want to be back in the shoes of those programs. I hate to tell you but the only way to go from here is back to there. Frankly, I do not want to go back there. I want to stay here, on top, where Coach Saban has led us.
Now we can criticize and nitpick him for any number of the dozens of decisions he makes on behalf of our program everyday. Currently, it seems everyone is worried about who the next coordinator is going to be. "Oh, we can't hire that guy because he will bring shame to our program" or "I don't want this guy because he is a read option guy." How many coaches has Nick hired since he has been here? Has it worked out? Then there are others worried about whether we can make it back to the top 3 in player recruiting. How many back recruiting classes have we had under this coach?
We all know it but it needs to be said again. None of this, none of it could have been realized without this coach and his vision for our program. It may never be eclipsed, ever. So please people, STOP, smell the sweet success and relish in all of these accomplishments. We are going to be ok. The University of Alabama will continue to compete for championships as long as we have Nick Saban as our head coach. And that's all I've got to say about that.