Crimson Red Sports

I was perusing the sports stories this morning when something occurred to me. Alabama is in good shape to be dominant for many years to come, even after Saban leaves. If you want to see what Alabama will look like post-Saban, just look at LSU. LSU is still one of the most dominant teams in college football. Not because of Les Miles coaching and recruiting skills, but because of the machine that Saban built. That momentum has continued to propel LSU even though Saban is no longer there. Now Lester is a good coach, and a good recruiter. And I give him credit for continuing what Saban built. But let's be honest, Les was never that good until he got to LSU and inherited the "Process". Saban built a product that was strong enough to continue for years after he was gone. Now apply that to Alabama. When Saban finally does retire (hopefully not for many years) the Crimson Tide will remain dominant for years after he is gone. Of course, this is dependent on getting a fairly decent coach who doesn't meddle with the "Process." But if you want to see what Alabama will be after Saban is gone, all you have to do is look at LSU. The future at Alabama is so bright, I gotta wear shades.

 8)

Compare this to CRP tearing down the tower and trying to do things his way-- establish a new identity.  BTW, I believe we still have plenty of shelf life remaining on CNS and he is out to carve himself a place in the annals of college football. We are in the process of building a dynasty again, and CNS will not be satisfied, his job will not be complete, until Bama has secured itself as the #1 program of all time. RTR

After the Bear left, Bama went downward with mediocre coaching hires.  Hopefully those lessons from the past will be learned -- don't just hire a coach because of Saban/Bear/Bama connections.  (Will Florida or TN be as dominant with Saban dominions?)

Although Les Miles is not the sharpest tack in the box, he does teach fundamentally sound football, and he recruits very well.  And while Saban did reestablish the program at LSU, the LSU teams of today are Mile's responsibility.  A lesser coach would not have fared as well this long into his tenure.

So while the immediate future is secured, it still will require smart hires to continue the tradition.

In my mind, if Kirby Smart took over in the distant future, Bama probably wouldn't miss a beat.  I'm surprised that he is not already a head coach somewhere else.

The main key is hiring a coach who understands the value of the process. He may not follow every precept of the process, but he must continue the standards of recruiting and developing that Saban has implemented here. That is the key, and I believe it's why Lester has been so successful. Because he uses those recruiting standards that Saban developed.

I have felt all along that Coach Smart is our HC in waiting. I think he's probably had more than a couple of opportunities to advance at other places, but maybe CNS has asked him to be patient. CKS knows the system in and out by now and is a good recruiter. I can see him being the next head coach at Bama after CNS retires......in about 10 years.  :D

I will worry about Post-Saban later. Right now I am enjoying the ride with Coach Saban at the controls.  :D

What do you mean post-Saban? I think the some of the scientists on campus are working on a formula to keep him living well into his 100s.

Remember, just last week the Aubs were discussing (in their meltdown forum) hiring Coach Saban away.  One suggested offering $10M.

That is a fan talking who might make $10 per hour. The power brokers at the barn would rather lose than give someone total control of the program.

Here's the Aub quote:

No matter what we pay CNS he is going to be worth it because he will bring in more revenue than he is paid. RTR!

They are talking about hiring Saban on one of the Arky forums as well.

 :lol:, you know CNS knows he made a mistake leaving LSU and somebody else is getting credit for what he built through his recruiting. I don't think he will ever make that mistake again and the words of the was "Our next stop is on a lake in Georgia." I think she has the last word on Alabama and how long they stay. RTR!

I remember when Coach Saban was hired, many of our enemies posted that we'd better enjoy him because he'd be gone in a couple of years.

Now that's big-time wishful thinking.

Saban is a better coach now than he ever was at MSU or LSU.  At those places, he was always looking for the next challenge.  Now, he's figured out what he loves to do and is doing it to the best of his ability.  He seems more interested in building a legacy(that's his challenge) than changing gears.  Of course, Ms. Terry might have some say in that too.

I think that this is what Nick Saban has always been about. He sees life as a process and is now reaping the benefits of allowing himself to go through it. He has been at Bama longer than any other stop along his coaching career.  That is not to say that he won't leave for more money (God forbid), but he genuinely seems happy (well as happy as Nick Saban can be...lol) in Tuscaloosa, with these players. I think he stays as long as he continues to enjoy it. I don't see him wanting to go somewhere else to start over again. He's been there and done that 3 times now (Toledo, MSU, LSU).

Maybe I am drinking the kool-aid, but I just don't see him going anywhere until he retires.

You have noticed that he only lets those assistant coaches have some of the knowledge. He keeps the DBs for himself...and we all know that the CBs in Saban's system being able to defend on an island and the safety's ability to play center field are crucial that that defense.  ;)

They also said we were paying too much. Based on the increased revenue and bottom line profit we could not afford not to hire him.