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This morning's WALL STREET JOURNAL CNS story

Most of the criticism was aimed at Dr. Witt for paying CNS 4.2 million, but I don't recall the WSJ criticizing Witt or Saban. At the time Dr. Witt called it a "sound business decision". It would be hard for the WSJ to criticize that decision based on the bottom line results.

Another quote from the article I like.... But recruiting specialists and Saban's former stars say he is less of a used-car salesman in a recruit's living room than his peers.

"He's incredibly honest in the recruiting process," said former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, the starter on the 2009 national-title team who now plays for the New York Jets. "He tells kids, 'Hey, you're going to come in and redshirt. Look, you're going to do this. You're going to do that.' He tells them exactly what he thinks. I think a lot of people respect that because so much of the recruiting process is an unknown."
 
Thanks for posting Capstone..That' the best article about Coach Saban & "The Process" I've seen..This part of the article literally gave me goose bumps when I read it..Coach Bryant would be so proud..

Even Saban's current players are foot soldiers in college football's recruiting war. Cooper Bateman, a top-ranked quarterback from Utah, took a tour of SEC schools in the spring before he committed to Alabama. What stood out to his family during his visit? All of Alabama's players made sure they took off their hats when meeting his mother.
 
TideMan, I agree.

The most effective recruiting of Greg was done by Dr. Witt at a DFW recruiting reception when Greg was still in high school. His Mom was blown away that the president of the University was so deeply committed to student/athletes.
 
CapstoneTider said:
Big time article. Thanks for the link.
Click to expand...

I agree. Some days I just have to pinch myself and realize it's all REAL. :smile:

The day Saban landed in Alabama every bit of this was predicted, but I held back my optimism. The amazing thing is it has all happened and more. I remember Kirk Herbstreit predicting a title within a few years. Wow Kirk, how wrong you were. We got two! ;)
 
Carl, recruiting talent is a very a very important part of CNS recruiting process. Recruiting those who buy into the process is even more critical.

I posted something a couple of weeks ago on the recruiting board concerning the Dee Liner situation....and the difference between how we recruit and some of our competitors. I will post it here also:
"Successful recruiting is all the same....Whether it is for athletics, the corporate world, or you are just trying to get the best looking girl on campus to go out with you. When you do it with transparent integrity communicating to the prospect exactly what you are looking for and exactly what is expected of them, the prospect will either buy into the process or not. During this "inner"view the recruiter is also deciding whether this prospect is right for them. This is the very reason that CNS was so committed to he May evaluation period.

I never worry when we don't get a recruit that all he experts say is a "must have". CNS' system seems to be working pretty well with those we have gotten and some of those we have not.

You may remember Coach Bryant saying he didn't do too well with those who thought they were superstars, but to those who thought they were just average, "well, I was their hero." He also said "bought" players will quit on you. Does anybody see a pattern here with how things are working out for us and some of the others across the state or country?"
 
That's probably the best article on CNS I've read during his tenure here. He leaves nothing to chance as this shows, even to the point of teaching players how to interact with recruits parents. The man is a relentless task master and he has us on a course that we won't easily be swayed from for years to come. I've never witnessed anyone in my life with his ability to focus on his process and not be caught up in any of the trappings that come with the success. The biggest trapping of course being complacency.

The honesty that Greg discusses in the article is exactly what landed Julio at Alabama, along with others who were made promises at other schools. By CNS they were guaranteed only the chance to compete for a spot on the roster. Many have made their decisions based on that guarantee and some have chosen another path because of it. Those are the players who would never have bought into the process, so its best they went their separate way.

I'm glad Cap46 brought up the recruitment of Greg. Dr Witt was a crucial part of our recruiting process with Greg and others who were/are committed to their education even though its not with the same fanfare as a potential Rhodes scholar. I can only hope the new pres, who in the spirit of full disclosure I will admit I wasn't in support of, will continue that commitment. Dr Witt as shown by the example of Greg was committed to the student/athlete before CNS even showed up. He faced some obstacles at times, but once he had a head coach who actually embraced that interest he became a champion for us.
 
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Great article, and very well written. Thanks for the link.


Wasn't Mark Barron a QB in high school? :conf3: The article said he was a RB.
 
Saban shows no signs of leaving. "I am very happy with the position that I am in right now," he said.


That's my favorite part of the article.
 
Think bout just how smart CNS is.
there are over 100,000 student athletes in h/s who what to go to a good school that # is very low.
160 schools to pick from
25 nationally ranked (be seen on tv)
25 is all a school can sign

This is why CNS does not go after the same type of kid API does.
even if they have skills if they have no brain or carry a chip they are trouble.
i really enjoyed reading about the vetting process.

Some schools just sign the stud & hope for the best.
 
TiderJ said:
He was a RB/LB and his QB was AJ McCarron.
Click to expand...

Thanks. After I posted that question, I went to Rivals to see what I could dig up and ended up finding an old highlight film of a St. Paul's game in 2007. Looks like Mark was a PR also. Ivan Matchett was on that team as well...
 
It is a good article, but it misses something (unless the online version I read left it out): CNS gains a competitive advantage mainly by out-working everybody else. He has the self-discipline to sustain that himself, he surrounds himself with people who do the same thing, and he holds them all to that standard. The quote I chose for my signature line says it all:
 
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