re: If Nick Saban hadn't been hired at Alabama, would AU be where they are?

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Thoughts?

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Most definetely....Hiring Saban put the fear of God into them and after the 2008 game, they had nightmares of returning to their bad ole days of the Bryant era.

Conversely, the culture needed to change in Tuscaloosa big time. Since Bryant retired, the boosters and their AD lackeys have basically run the show to the program's detriment. Since Bryant left and Pat Dye came in, the Aubs have basically been more or less even with Bama (with the excetion of a national title) until Saban arrived. We finally stepped up for a big time coach and just handed over the reigns and gave him what he needed to be succesful. Six in a row will do that.......

Auburn continues to invest in their program and the recent hire of Coach Boom reinforces that...That said, I think programs around the country are seeing what Bama has done and the college football arms race is escalating...look at programs such as Baylor and TCU...or the recent contract Michigan is reportedley throwing at Harbaugh.