re: Is Saban the best at getting the most out of his players?

To the OP: is he THE best at this per your definition? Probably not. But he is damn good. Regardless of the talent on the roster, winning year in year out as the preseason #1 is really hard. It requires a certain skillset in managing emotions. Of course this is a way different problem than trying to win with 2 stars. Those who constantly try to diminish his skillset to simple recruiting either have an agenda (RebsontheRise), or are senile, with an agenda(Spurrier).