quote:
If Bobby Bowden can build Florida State into what it became, then Saban *could* build SCe into the same thing, given time, I would think. But in today's SEC competitive climate, and the fact that Nick Saban doesn't have an unlimited amount of time left in his career, I thought it was an interesting question.

You're comparing apples to oranges.

When Bobby Bowden left WVA to takeover FSU, FSU was a serious renegade program where anything was allowed. He took players that couldn't get-in anywhere else, and he had the backing of the local community, especially the Times Democrat and their willingness to not print certain things ... and Bowden was not competing in the SEC. I think FSU used to play Auburn quite a bit and never fared too well except but for a few years ... and Bowden even commented on that thought being one of his reasons for not wanting to join the SEC.

Bowden would not have realized the same success he enjoyed at FSU had he coached in the SEC IMHO ... UNLESS he could have landed at Bama or LSU perhaps. He wanted the Bama job at one time. Jim Carlen used to say that Bowden actually coveted the Bama job at one time and thought he might get it when The Bear retired. After that, I don't think he ever seriously considered leaving FSU. He had it too good there.