re: When did you realize saban was gonna be a great HC

I remember the 2007 season when we were a team half of problem players, not wanting to work, not very talented. We had won a couple games but ULM came to town. We had a RB suspended and we were losing. Saban did not put the player in and stayed with a sorry arse RB. We lost and Sabans post game presser. He was so defiant. He said that the players can either get with the program or leave but it would be HIS way and there would be no deviation. he was willing to take an ugly loss to get his message across. He said it was like Pearl Harbor, meaning if you aren't ALWAYS prepared, always defending, u can be taken by surprise. We then went and beat a good Colorado team in the Indy Bowl that we should have never beat and said after that game it was on.

A few years later I heard an interview with DJ Hall, who could have been a game breaking receiver in the SEC and he said very candidly, I wish I had not fought the Saban way. If I had listened to him and bought in I would have been the best receiver in the SEC but I didn't want to do what he asked. I will regret that the rest of my life.

Went to a camp practice in 07 and Saban was on about the 50, watching the QB's going through drills. On the far end of the field punters were just catching punts. Anyway, someone tried to catch a punt with his arms extended vs catching it with "the basket". Saban, 50 yards away, throws his hat, runs 50 yards screaming at the punt returner, WTF was that? We do it right around here, that;s not winning football. He went off. Then told the player to get off the field. Same practice, they had a water break. he had rode JPW's arse and when the players came over for water, JPW throws his helmet down and acts pissed off. Saban is out on the field and screams at JPW, Hey 14, you haven't earned a water break, get your arse back out here, now. We just smiled and shook our head. After practice was over, family members were there and wanted to see their sons for a minute. Every, single, player told their moms and dads they could not visit with them. That if they were late getting back in the locker room they would be gone. There was genuine fear in those players eyes. each one followed him back in the locker room and asked no questions. It was gonna change and change big time. When 2008 rolled around, the bad apples were gone, there was discipline and they were doing it the Saban way. They had become a machine. even though they were immensely more talented, Clemson had NO chance in that opener. Pregame warmups were as intense as I've ever seen a football team go through. Same with the UT game that year. The OL were going through warmups and I heard Todd Blackledge later say, they Bama O line was hitting harder in warmups than they would in the game. he said, I thought, if they are hitting each other this hard, what will they do to Tennessee?

Told my wife the day he was hired that was bad for Auburn and the SEC...I never thought he'd do what he has done, but I knew the balance of power shifted.

1998 MSU vs Ohio State

the mighty Nick failed miserably in the NFL

Saban put LSU on the map.


Since then...

LSU was on the map but beginning with Mike Archer...off the map til Saban..lesson to learn is that when hiring don't take the advice of a rival AD...bill arnsparger hc left LSU to become Florida AD he recommended Archer the DB coach lol...

I knew Saban was for real during the 2000 Peach Bowl when, down 14-3 at half, benched Josh Booty in favor of Rohan Davey. We scored a TD on the first drive of the 3rd quarter and won 28-14.