Until CNS decided to come to Alabama my generation was doomed to listen to stories of Bear Bryant, and how amazing it was to be a Bama fan in the "good ol days."

Now we've had our own time of dominance that is unmatched by anyone- even the Bear. What were the odds ? I am grateful and thankful to CNS for coming to Alabama and helping make it all possible.

I remember exactly where I was when I found out Mal Moore had convinced CNS to come to Alabama.

What a bizarre moment in sports history... a sleeping giant not only awoken but such an excitement, such a mutual devotion between coach and community.

CNS himself said he knew when 100k showed up to ADay with thousands more outside the gates that he was in the right place.

If you're anything like me you watched and marveled at his ability to organize and lead, to mentor, to shape everyone around him into the best they could be to accomplish their shared and personal goals. If you couldn't meet the standard you were gone, and everybody knew it. In an era around the world seemingly void of leadership, CNS was the standard, the constant... at least for me he was.

I tuned in to every presser- I listened to every word. He was both the immovable object and the unstoppable force simultaneously. Loved, Feared, Loathed, Coveted, but more than anything Respected by all. The moment CNS entered the room he was in charge. I cant help but to think how comical it must have been as CNS visited the White House every other year, and everyone in the White House no matter who it was probably feel the urge to ask CNS "Coach, what do you think we should do ?"

I was young when CNS took the job. I can honestly say that tuning in every week to hear his message helped me to become a better man in the years to come. I applied his lessons to my life in every way I could. The same lessons he was teaching all those championship teams I was applying to my work and personal life. I found some success, but I couldn't adhere to the process like he did... neither could anyone else.

This is why the people that both loved, admired, hated, or were simply jealous of his success all worked together to bring him down, but they couldn't do it. Giving his coordinators HC jobs and his assistant coaches promotions years before they were ready, changing recruiting rules, changing the format of the game itself... nothing could stop Coach Saban. Hell, if Metch and Jamo dont get hurt Sabans downside team woulda blown the doors off georgia goat team TWICE.

Here in the end CNS has not been "defeated" he simply continued to practice what he preached until he himself right before our eyes evolved into a better more polished human being... like we are all supposed to do with time.

Winning at some point became less important to him than actual human development and compassion. We all want to win but honestly this is how things are supposed to be... its not win at all costs if you are made of the right stuff. I admire CNS for continuing to work on himself and becoming a more well balanced human in the end. Kudos.

So as much as it hurts to watch the end you have to adjust your perspective and understand he's exactly where he wants to be in life, and this last chapter may not end with more trophies for the trophy case but likely some other accomplishments that fill CNS heart with much pride and love.

That being said I was as loud as anyone about replacing Milroe and Dalcourt Saturday night, and that's probably my own shortcoming of sorts that I need to figure out by the time I'm CNS age and hopefully I get there but right now I want those guys to transfer.

If we want to win at all costs CNS is probably not that guy anymore. He has evolved beyond that. We probably need a headset throwing face melting half maniac who strikes fear into everyone on the field. We need players to KNOW if they hike a ball on the ground 10 times in one game they will be replaced. We need players to KNOW if they miss wide open receivers or throw the ball to the wrong team they will lose their job. But most importantly we need players to KNOW if someone behind them is giving more, playing faster, playing harder, simply flat out better than they are at the game of football they will be replaced. Saban is no longer that guy in my opinion. Who will be our next tyrant ? I dont know, but I do know even if that person gets this team back on track whoever he is will probably not be half the man CNS is.

Love you coach. Thank you for all the lessons.