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What timespan do you feel Nick Saban was at his best?

Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:31 am
Posted by MizzouTrue
Member since Jun 2016
3843 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:31 am
Early 2000s, when he turned around a moribund LSU program and won a title?

His early years at Alabama?

Today, when he continues his dominance despite the SEC spending 15+ years trying to stop him?

Or has he always been operating at the absolute highest level as a HC?

Personally I’d say 2011-2012 was his prime
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 9:33 am
Posted by Legionfield
Alabama
Member since Nov 2009
2590 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:33 am to
Now
Posted by Roll Tide Ravens
Birmingham, AL
Member since Nov 2015
42627 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:35 am to
I would say 2009-2017.
Posted by RAB
Member since Aug 2019
990 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:38 am to
I’ve always felt like college football coaching has three major components: recruiting, player development, and game day coaching. Taking those three into account, I’d say his prime was 2008-2012.
Posted by Tuscaloosa
11x Award Winning SECRant user
Member since Dec 2011
46626 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:38 am to
2015-2017 were his best stretch of teams, IMO.

A DeShaun Watson career game away from a 3-peat, and the 2016 team may have been Saban’s best overall, IMO.
Posted by Decker
Member since Nov 2015
3435 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:39 am to
2011-2015 might have been the peak (great defense, great running backs, 3 titles and 2 near misses)

2007-2010 was a great restoration

2016-2019 was exciting and, at times, amazing, but only 1 title despite Hurts and Tua all four years

2020-2023 has been a lot of fun. If we can book end this era with a title it would be quite an accomplishment.
Posted by Legionfield
Alabama
Member since Nov 2009
2590 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:43 am to
Bookend with 2 titles at the end….may 3 in a row
Posted by BigScoreboard
Member since May 2021
924 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 10:41 am to
8-9 PM, March 15, 1978
Posted by Legionfield
Alabama
Member since Nov 2009
2590 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:02 am to
Well played
Posted by Shea Vinnerbush
Austin, TX
Member since Sep 2023
2162 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:04 am to
The alabama teams: 2011-2017

The job the alabama coaching staff has done: 2021-present
Posted by rolltide32
Fort Payne, AL
Member since Nov 2013
6516 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:19 am to
2008-2023

All of the various "declines" were nothing burgers.

199-22.
16 AP Top 10 Finishes.
9 SEC Championships
8 Playoffs in 10 years.
6 National Championships.
0 losses to teams that finished unranked in both polls.
Only 1 loss by more than 14 points.
Posted by frankthetank
Member since Oct 2007
2306 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:26 am to
2003-2024
Posted by Herman Frisco
Bon Secour
Member since Sep 2008
17279 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:28 am to
One other thing is # of 10 win seasons.
Don’t know if this will ever be eclipsed. Just amazing.
Posted by skipjackbama
Member since Apr 2023
1502 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:33 am to
Right now. 2023 OL has four 1st rounders on it. 2023 Secondary has 3 1st rounders in it.
Posted by AUTiger789
Birmingham, AL
Member since Apr 2022
1601 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:40 am to
Bama under Saban was at their best 2009-2013, IMO. The 2014-2020 seasons were just slightly below those five peak years.

2021-present are another step down IMO. Still strong, but not like it used to be.
Posted by RollTide71
Member since Dec 2023
1764 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:45 am to
quote:

Now


Agreed. The team now compared to the beginning of the season is unbelievable.
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 11:46 am
Posted by DyeHardDylan
Member since Nov 2011
7738 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:47 am to
2008-2012. Those early Saban teams were dominant. I remember watching the Clemson game in 2008, and you could tell what was about to happen
Posted by AUTiger789
Birmingham, AL
Member since Apr 2022
1601 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 11:58 am to
quote:

All of the various "declines" were nothing burgers.


Not really. There’s some truth in there being a decline.

For example, in Bama’s seven biggest game this year (TX, UGA, OM, LSU, UT, A&M, AU), Bama trailed for 40% of game time….. this does not include the games in which they trailed USF in the second half or had to hang on at the end to hold off 4-8 Arkansas.

Bama may very well win a championship this year, and if they win the next two games they deserve it. But that doesn’t erase the fact that this Bama team is just not as dominant as Saban’s teams a decade ago. This is the third consecutive season that Bama’s games are far more often competitive.
Posted by CapstoneGrad06
Little Rock
Member since Nov 2008
72215 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 12:09 pm to
People bring that up a lot, and maybe that’s fair, but I don’t think most people realize how young and inexperienced this 2023 Alabama team is. Couple that with two new coordinators and it was unlike any other season under Nick Saban.

Those earlier teams that played for titles/made playoffs had something to offset personnel losses. Whether that was experienced players or coordinators. Just didn’t have that to lean on early in this season. They all grew as the season progressed.
Posted by TouchdownTony
Central Alabama
Member since Apr 2016
9696 posts
Posted on 12/7/23 at 12:10 pm to
08-15
During that span teams were literally beaten before kickoff. Loved watching those teams just beat people into submission
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