re: What LSU fans really think about Saban?

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I'd buy him a beer.

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Eh, no

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What LSU fans really think about Saban?


This is a troll and flame board and a lot of the posters are under 30, so you have to keep those points in mind when LSU fans post stuff about him on this board.

But, for those of us that don't post here all the time and are over 30, we have a different view of him.

As a coach, I have great respect for the man. He was exactly what LSU needed when Mark Emmert hired him. He was given total control of the Football program, which wasn't done in the 90's for any coach. He had a master plan to make LSU elite and he did it. For that, much love.

However, where the hate comes in, is because for 2 years, starting in 2003, while we were on our way to our first National Title since 58, Saban was constantly flirting with the NFL. That didn't sit well with a lot of fans, because all he talked about was total and complete focus and loyalty from the players and fans, but he was constantly flirting with going to the NFL.

Then, after saying point blank that he wasn't going to Miami, he left on Christmas Day, which left LSU in a difficult situation in hiring his replacement since most coaches leave at the end of November and not the end of December.

However, all could have been washed under the bridge, but after failing to recognize that Drew Brees was a much better choice than Dante Culpepper and failing in Miami, he decides to go to freaking Alabama.

We all knew he would do great at Alabama and he did. Of course, we are going to have some major dislike for a coach that use to be ours, build and sustain Alabama into a major powerhouse again. It's only natural human emotion.

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Good post. The flip side...If he had gone 4-8, 5-7 and 3-9 how would LSU have treated him? Would they have waited for him to get a job before firing him?

For a moment, I'm going to stop trolling LSU fans and say this: I believe with 100% certainty that Saban LOVED LSU and he loved the players!! It's a great school, great state and a great place to be a college student and coach... I also believe that he realized he made a HUGE mistake by leaving!! Like any successful person, he wanted to succeed at the highest level(the NFL) and was miserable... He's a college coach and that's his passion!! The NFL is a different animal especially for a control freak like Saban...

I also believe that he BADLY wanted to go back to LSU but you guys had a coach and a damn good one!! So with that said, he took the best job available and Mal Moore made him an incredible offer that was UNHEARD OF AT THAT TIME!! And if it makes you corndogs feel better, at least in the beginning, he WAS NOT completely "on board" at Alabama.. I think that he has grown to love it there but it took some time!! I don't believe for one moment that Bama was his dream job but it's grown on him and he is finally truly happy and content...

With all of that said, I think deep down inside, Saban does truly want to be liked and do things "the right way" but he is an introvert and comes across as a HUGE prick at times(and that is HIS fault)..

I can certainly understand LSU fans not being happy with the guy but the hatred that he gets from some of you isn't grounded in rational thought...

Now that that's over, it's time for my inner gump to come out: Frick LSU and 21-0!!!

I have liked him since he was at LSU. Outstanding coach and motivator. Top notch defensive coordinator. LSU has a good shot at BAMA this year. Will be a sick game as usual.

At LSU Saban was a good coach on the verge of becoming "the Saban" but not quite there. He comes across as an unlkeable prick but I don't know the man petsonally, so I'll withhold judgement on his personality. Terry Saban seemed to love the role as the HC's wife at LSU and missed that kind of involvement at Miami. It seems apparent that she was the one with the great want to return to the college game.

21-0 and The Great Mulligan certainly added fuel to the fire but I think most all of us fans, LSU or otherwise, would want the HC of their team out making the case and beating the drum for his team in a similar situation. But I loathe the coward Mike Gundy for hiding under a rock rather than answering Saban's campaign with his own team's excellent argument to make the game. He betrayed his players and his fans out of personal spite and vanity.

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The hate started the day he was hired by Bama

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Wrong. The hate started on December 25, 2004 & intensified 7 days later with how his final game as LSU head coach ended. A stupid safety blitz allowing single coverage with all the Iowa receivers on the final play of the game where the only play that beats you is a deep pass.

2005 Capital One Bowl LSU vs Iowa

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Why don't Florida fans feel the same way about Spurrier? He literally did the exact same thing, only the media didn't pester him about it.

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Superficially similar but very different if you consider. To make it more similar you'd have to have Spurrier jump to UGA and start competing at the highest level. That just hasn't happened. Florida also has a very different history with South Carolina.

If Saban left Alabama and went to Auburn you'd see some shite.

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Without Saban they could possibly have a longer title drought than Texas A&M.

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FIFY

1939 is a long time ago. 1939 < 1962

We were talking at work one day about why the venom isnt spewed at Spurrier for taking the South carolina job.

Oneo f my co-workers said, dude, it's South Carolina.