Is Bama Football back on track to becoming a national power?

[BigEasyTider]

First and foremost, it's really hard to say from an insider perspective. After all, let us not be ignorant of our own prejudices, and with that in mind we should all take what we say about us with a big grain of salt. However, with that said, from these crimson eyes, as best I can tell we are own track to returning to the national scene.

Recruiting has gone up big-time, and that is an absolute must. It will take a while to finish the job, but it's well underway and it will only be a matter of time before we have not only as much top-end talent as the elite programs have, but also the quality depth throughout the entire roster. Though it seems anathema for some to admit it, recruiting does matter, and if you can't be a legitimate contender on National Signing Day, the odds are highly stacked against you being a legitimate contender once Autumn rolls around. Moreover, unlike in the Dubose era and to a lesser extent in the Shula era, we don't seem to be attracting a bunch of academic casualties and / or character cases. Far from it, we are now seemingly attracting a ton of highly-talented players with good work ethics and academic backgrounds that are in order.

On an institutional level, things seem even better. The facilities are now as good as any in the country, and may very well be the best in the country. Moreover, it's only a matter of time before yet another expansion to Bryant-Denny, so things will only improve. More to the point, the football program now has the full-fledged support of the university itself, and we have seemingly put the days of the vicious infighting -- Sorensen / Bockrath, etc. -- far behind us. Things look fine on the NCAA compliance front, and we are also seeing record levels, in my eyes, of fan support (I'm sure the Tide Pride numbers could support this). I was on campus at UA during the 1992 season, and I honestly don't even think the support was this high during that national championship run. I've been following Alabama football for over thirty years now, and I can honestly say that the level of support for the program is the most I've seen since the end of the Bryant era. The last time I can, with all honesty, say I've seen fan support this high was in Autumn of 1981 when Bryant was closing in on 315.

Now, keep in mind, this is still a battle very much in the early stages. And in the short-term, things still don't look very good. We're coming off of a 6-6 season, and next year might not be a whole lot better. We're going to start a ridiculous number of true freshmen, have very little depth, sport a lot of players who wouldn't likely play for the top SEC teams, encounter an extremely tough road schedule (always a major concern for a young team) and also perhaps have more struggles at the quarterback position. The harsh truth is that if we get anything North of 7-5, while scoring an upset (ala '07 UT) while not suffering another embarrassing upset ourselves (ala '07 ULM), we should all be pretty happy about things.

The road isn't going to be easy, and a lot of things still have to come together. With all of the people we heard with the whole "high expectations" bit after the firing of Shula, I really don't think most appreciate just how far we had sank prior to the arrival of Saban. We were that bad, and only a laughably ridiculous OOC schedule in 2006 saved us from showing just how bad we were in the final year of the Shula regime. Saban didn't inherit very much, and it's not going to be quick. It will be a long, hard-fought road that will include many obstacles that we have yet to encounter.

But yes, through these crimson eyes, I firmly believe we are on track to someday -- and I don't when that someday will be; it may very well be farther than we would all like to think -- return to national power.

 

[BigEasyTider]

these are some very realistic expectations. Watch out, you guys are ruining the "unreasonable Bama fan" reputation.

I think if you really get to know the Alabama fan base, you'll see that the whole "high expectations" bit doesn't have much substance to it. We expect to win, of course, (and why should we not?) but it's really nothing that you don't see at the other elite programs. Running down Alabama for our supposedly high expectations is just an easy way for those who want to criticize Alabama yet can find no legitimate reason to do so. It's something that a bunch of goober fans and talking heads in the media like to go on and on about, but if you really get to learn the Alabam fan base and learn in-depth about our history, all of that criticism is pretty baseless. Again, we have high expectations, just like all elite programs, but nothing inordinately so.

And oh yes, sorry for crapping out on the OOC thread from last week. I've been swamped here at the office and really haven't had the time to get much of a reply written up. This is about all I've had the chance to post on all week. I'll have a reply up on that in a few more days.

 

[pcolatide]

I think we are on track but the momentum at this point can easily be side tracked by by many things.
In order to keep momentum going strong we need some noticeably improved performance on the playing field. We need at least nine wins this year to keep the recruiting solidly in the top ten nationwide.
We appear to have an element of players that haven't bought in to what it takes to be a champion and will take at least one more season and perhaps two before they become an insignificant factor.
We need better and more leadership from players. Too much of the leadership burden is still on the coaches. Hopefully Big Andre will step up and be more vocal this year and give a boost to Caldwell. But I don't see leaders among the RB's or WR's. JPW is trying but the offensives changes have kept him on his heels his entire career. Maybe next year a leader will emerge in this area. And with Gilberry, Mustin and Simeon leaving we need a lot of leadership to emerge quickly on the defensive side of the ball.
Staff stability for two years would be a big help particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Yes we are on track and I'm but I'm not wildly optimistic. I still see too many potential pitfalls.

 

[lorange]

One thing is for sure, the amount spent on the coaching staff is definitely #1.

 

[tydegrl07]

I have to agree with the other posters. On track- YES. Moving forward - SLOWLY.

I do EXPECT to win. If we don't EXPECT to win every week, why call ourselves 'fans'? What 'fan' expects the chosen team to lose?

I am not, and will not, be entirely surprised, though, if we are 8-4, or possibly 7-5 next year. I DO SURELY HOPE, THOUGH, that we can go somewhere other than Shreveport...Let's head that train in a different direction! :BigA:

 

[alatider]

I would say that we are headed in that direction. With the great recruiting class and our high priced coaches, we should achieve better results each and every year.

It will still take time. The NCAA sanctions really hurt the program no matter what anyone says.

 

[tidefanbeezer]

Are we back on track? Not yet.

Are we a hell of a lot closer to the track now? Yes.

I think one year under Saban is still too early to make that statement. He had a solid starting season, given that the players he inherited were not his type of players. And he had a good recruiting class (keep in mind that this year was the highest the talent level has been in-state in a long time), but I think he needs a few more top 10 classes under his belt and needs to show improvement from season to season before we can say for certain that we are back on track.

 

[deliveryman35]

I think I echo most of the sentiments expressed here in saying that we are back on track in the sense that we are finally seeing some forward progression, as opposed to falling behind like we did during the Shula years, toward getting Alabama football back to it's rightful place among college football's elite. But to use a phrase that gets knocked around like a tennis ball around here, it's a process that will take time. Rome was not built in a day, to use an old saying. What got screwed up and severely neglected for arguably the better part of a decade cannot be fixed in one, or even two, years. Nick did not inherit much to work with personnel wise, so on that front he is basically having to rebuild the program completely from scratch. That takes TIME. In other areas, like facilities, we're ok and much less, if any, work needs to be done.
In view of all that, we've all got to exercise some patience this season, and I predict it's going to be tough for a lot of us to do that come saturday afternoon this fall. Not saying we accept losing, but this is still going to be a transitional year. As a previous poster noted, any record better than 7-5 will have to be considered vast improvement and will validate that we are headed in the right direction under the Saban regime.

 

[GrayTide]

I think I echo most of the sentiments expressed here in saying that we are back on track in the sense that we are finally seeing some forward progression, as opposed to falling behind like we did during the Shula years, toward getting Alabama football back to it's rightful place among college football's elite. But to use a phrase that gets knocked around like a tennis ball around here, it's a process that will take time. Rome was not built in a day, to use an old saying. What got screwed up and severely neglected for arguably the better part of a decade cannot be fixed in one, or even two, years. Nick did not inherit much to work with personnel wise, so on that front he is basically having to rebuild the program completely from scratch. That takes TIME. In other areas, like facilities, we're ok and much less, if any, work needs to be done.
In view of all that, we've all got to exercise some patience this season, and I predict it's going to be tough for a lot of us to do that come saturday afternoon this fall. Not saying we accept losing, but this is still going to be a transitional year. As a previous poster noted, any record better than 7-5 will have to be considered vast improvement and will validate that we are headed in the right direction under the Saban regime.

Good post dman. I honestly believe most Alabama fans have pretty much been in denial when it comes to how far the program has fallen and how long it is going to take to get it back. A lot has happened in the SEC since 1996 and the conference overall is more balanced from top to bottom and quite frankly there are more "haves" and fewer "have nots" now than there were in 1996. Patience is the operative word.

 

[Tide&True]

Good post dman. I honestly believe most Alabama fans have pretty much been in denial when it comes to how far the program has fallen and how long it is going to take to get it back. A lot has happened in the SEC since 1996 and the conference overall is more balanced from top to bottom and quite frankly there are more "haves" and fewer "have nots" now than there were in 1996. Patience is the operative word.

I always appreciate your views GrayTide. While we all want immediate gratification it is most likely we will work our way to the top gradually.

 

[lafella]

these are some very realistic expectations. Watch out, you guys are ruining the "unreasonable Bama fan" reputation.

We are going to win the National Championship Last Year and Tomorrow!!

I'd say we are back on track we are just starting on it though still have a ways to go.

 

[davefrat]

we're taking the right steps, but we, nor anyone else, will ever achieve dominance like we and a few others achieved in the past...parity just won't allow for it.

but i think the most honest among us have to admit that the program was clearly in much worse shape than any of us thought.

when shula left, the prevailing belief, which i shared, was that as disappointing as his tenure was, he at least left us better off than when he took the job. it's apparent to me that we were, at best, no better or no worse.

there's a huge mess to clean up in tuscaloosa, and it's going to take at least another 2 or 3 years to wash away the lingering funk. and that, my friends, will put us at or near the end of saban's contract.

scary scenario is, what if at the end of his 5 year contract we're still sputtering and struggling to 8 win seasons and still losing consistently to auburn and lsu (and tennessee to a lesser extent)?

we're not even close to being out of the woods. and if saban can't get it turned around, we may be lost to the recycle bin of history.

but if anyone can turn it around, i think saban can.

just trying to be honest.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

we're taking the right steps, but we, nor anyone else, will ever achieve dominance like we and a few others achieved in the past...parity just won't allow for it.

but i think the most honest among us have to admit that the program was clearly in much worse shape than any of us thought.

when shula left, the prevailing belief, which i shared, was that as disappointing as his tenure was, he at least left us better off than when he took the job. it's apparent to me that we were, at best, no better or no worse.

there's a huge mess to clean up in tuscaloosa, and it's going to take at least another 2 or 3 years to wash away the lingering funk. and that, my friends, will put us at or near the end of saban's contract.

scary scenario is, what if at the end of his 5 year contract we're still sputtering and struggling to 8 win seasons and still losing consistently to auburn and lsu (and tennessee to a lesser extent)?

we're not even close to being out of the woods. and if saban can't get it turned around, we may be lost to the recycle bin of history.

but if anyone can turn it around, i think saban can.

just trying to be honest.

GAME OVER MAN!!!! GAME OVER!!!!

 

[red55]

Recruiting has gone up big-time, and that is an absolute must. It will take a while to finish the job, but it's well underway and it will only be a matter of time before we have not only as much top-end talent as the elite programs have, but also the quality depth throughout the entire roster.

This has been an interesting thread and the many factors mentioned all play into it. But I think BigEasyTider has the key to success stated right here. Depth.

Of all the things that Nick brought to LSU, the one that was most important was the depth we developed. The SEC is a very rough league and it takes depth to compete for the championship. Not just talent, but talent in depth.

Hell, Curley Friggin' Hallman had many good players and sent a bunch to the NFL. But there was no talent in depth and four losing seasons was the result. Gerry Dinardo was a capable coach and also recruited some good talent but they were all starters. He won good for three years, but then had a major problem on defense and the wheels came off because he had no depth to cover the shortfalls.

I credit LSU's success in this decade to depth like we'd just never been used to. Depth like Paul Bryant had in the 70's. Stud replaced stud, year after year. Stars would go down and reserves would step in and star. Depth kept us in games where the other team just wore out.

When you look at the recruiting classes now coming on board, don't count potential All-Americans . . . count the positions where you become two and three deep in SEC-caliber players. That's when Bama becomes an unquestioned contender.

 

[Tide&True]

When you look at the recruiting classes now coming on board, don't count potential All-Americans . . . count the positions where you become two and three deep in SEC-caliber players. That's when Bama becomes an unquestioned contender.

Good post red55. Many of the Bama faithful (myself included) remember the success of yesteryear. Much of that success as due to depth. This league (SEC) is just getting harder and harder and like you mentioned it takes depth to survive in the long run. Perhaps Bama's late season demise over the last couple of years could be attributed directly to lack of depth.

 

[deliveryman35]

This has been an interesting thread and the many factors mentioned all play into it. But I think BigEasyTider has the key to success stated right here. Depth.

Of all the things that Nick brought to LSU, the one that was most important was the depth we developed. The SEC is a very rough league and it takes depth to compete for the championship. Not just talent, but talent in depth.

Hell, Curley Friggin' Hallman had many good players and sent a bunch to the NFL. But there was no talent in depth and four losing seasons was the result. Gerry Dinardo was a capable coach and also recruited some good talent but they were all starters. He won good for three years, but then had a major problem on defense and the wheels came off because he had no depth to cover the shortfalls.

I credit LSU's success in this decade to depth like we'd just never been used to. Depth like Paul Bryant had in the 70's. Stud replaced stud, year after year. Stars would go down and reserves would step in and star. Depth kept us in games where the other team just wore out.

When you look at the recruiting classes now coming on board, don't count potential All-Americans . . . count the positions where you become two and three deep in SEC-caliber players. That's when Bama becomes an unquestioned contender.

Good and accurate post, Red. IMO, in terms of raw talent but not necessarily championships, you guys are on track to possibly replicate the Bama teams of the '70's and perhaps even the Miami teams of the '80's. Enjoy the ride while it lasts. As you will recall, Schnelly got the ball rolling in Coral Gables, but the fruits of his labor and the groundwork he laid led to five NC's for himself and his successors--Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson, and Larry Coker/Butch Davis. Once the talent pipeline is laid and solidified, Adam Sandler or Soupy Sales could coach the team and I dont think it makes a lot of difference. That's why I think Les will enjoy tremendous success in Baton Rouge....I personally don't think he ranks up there with the great coaches(I think the same of Dennis Erickson and Larry Coker) but he is good enough that he will capitalize on a good situation. So, like I said, enjoy being on top while you're there. Because chances are it won't last....