re: Nick Saban

Another thing people don't realize is that LSU was in very good shape when Saban took over.

Here's a good article that explains:
LINK

As the article explains, Dinardo deserves just as much credit as Saban for turning LSU around. Dinardo got elite talent to come to LSU and was instrumental in the development of new facilites (indoor practice facility, academic center, etc).

As the article points out:

"So what Dinardo accomplished...was...important... So any coach coming in would have the benefit of better facilities, recruiting and improved academic center."

"the reality is when Saban took over the LSU program he was loaded with talent"

I followed LSU football very closely back in the Dinardo days, and he recruited some insane talent for LSU, talent that Saban got when he took over at LSU. Yes, Saban did take LSU to the next level, but he wouldn't have been able to do what he did had it not been for Dinardo.