re: Records of classes recruited by Saban to Alabama

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Also not mentioned

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Correct, I was responding to...

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Looks like a case of one team benefiting from a down SEC as other schools consistently downgrade their coaching talent

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Left off Dooley, one or two Vandy coaches and probably a few others too.

the ky coach prior to stoops, i forget his name

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the ky coach prior to stoops, i forget his name

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Joker Phillips

And it was a big deal at the time.

How does he convince all of these 5 stars to go to the same school?

Its impossible how sick he recruits.

Impossible.

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How does he convince all of these 5 stars to go to the same school?

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You simply ask them if they want to be a part of the best program in history.
You then ask their parents if they want the best for their child? If that answer is yes, then clearly there is only one place to go.

I think it's that simple.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

I was extremely concerned a decade ago when Saban was hired at Bama. I was afraid that he would stay for 6 or 7 years, win 2-3 SEC championships, and an NC, maybe 2.

That was my worst case scenario.

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One of these days, Saban will ride off into the sunset.

Bama fans will still live their lives vicariously through Alabama football, which means:

Bama brothers and sisters will no longer kiss as frequently (Alabama will be losing more often), and the rest of the country will no longer have to worry near as much about Alabama.

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If you look at Alabama football history, you'll see this isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened. It isn't even only the second time.

Wallace Wade 1923-1932
78-16-3 (80.4%)
3 undefeated seasons
2-0-1 in the Rose Bowl

Frank Thomas 1933-1942
76-15-5 (79.2%)
2 undefeated seasons
1-1 in Rose Bowl
1-0 in Orange Bowl
1-0 in Cotton Bowl

Bama didn't field a team in 1943 but Thomas also went 22-6-2 from 1944-1946 with an additional undefeated season, a Rose Bowl win and a Sugar Bowl loss.

Paul Bryant 1958-1982
232-46-9 (80.8%)
3 undefeated seasons
6 national championships

Gene Stallings 1990-1996
70-16-1 (80.5%)
1 undefeated season
1 national championship

Nick Saban 2007-present
116-18 (86.6%)
1 undefeated season
4 national championships

If you've lost count, that's 5 Bama coaches with tenures of 7 years or more with winning percentages of over 79%. Reflected across today's 12 game regular season, that would be an average of 9.5 wins a season for the worst.

And the others? Well, Bama hasn't had a coach leave the capstone with a losing record since Ears Whitworth.

So, while it is certainly possible that Bama will make a bad hire when Saban leaves but the historical precedent for the last CENTURY of football strongly suggests that at best you'll only get a brief reprieve until you're once again grabbing your ankles ,biting the pillow, and hoping the next Alabama great will be kind enough to use some lube.

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How does he convince all of these 5 stars to go to the same school?

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Meh, in the last 5 classes he has signed 23 5 stars. About 4 a year which is actually behind Ohio State and florida.

What's more interesting is that LSU, in that same time period, has signed ZERO five stars that weren't CB's, RB's or WR's. Not one single interior lineman that was rated elite.
Alabama has signed 6 5 star linemen and 5 5 star linebackers. There's where he is making a difference.

There will never be another Saban. Enjoy this amazing time to be a fan. Whoever gets hired when Saban leaves will not live up to the expectations most Bama fans have, and will be ran off.

Think about it. Kids in college now, don't remember football before Saban. They didn't live through Shula, Franchione, Dubose. All they know is Bama on top, and that is all they will demand.

I'm going to sit back and enjoy the ride.

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Think about it. Kids in college now, don't remember football before Saban. They didn't live through Shula, Franchione, Dubose.

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Dude, this is only Saban's 10th season at Alabama. Freshmen this year were 8 when he arrived. There are VASTLY more Bama fans that remember Dubose and Shula than those that don't.

And Fran? He was only coach for two seasons, beat Auburn in Auburn his first season and followed that up by winning 10 games and would have made the SECCG if not for probation in his second. Other than the way he left, there really isn't a reason to look badly on his tenure.