re: Why did Saban not have the same type success at LSU?

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And here come all the gumps acting as if it's the program and not the coach.

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The empirical data supports the conclusion. I'll give you two examples.

1. Gene Stallings. Had been a head coach at both the college and professional level. In all his years of coaching he only ever managed one winning season. He gets to Alabama, promptly goes 70-16-1 and wins a national championship. Alabama was a Top 10-15 program just about every year he was there.

2. Mike DuBose. Easily one of the worst coaches to ever suit up in the SEC. Despite this, however, he managed to win the SEC in 1999.

Mike Shula gets an honorable mention, too, as he coached Alabama to a 10-win season in '05.

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Even if they didn't pull as many national titles (but they probably would have), they'd absolutely be THE dominant team in the SEC.

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Yeah don't get me wrong Bama, y'all are still a frickable 8/10 like the rest of the national teams, but Saban is the CFB equivalent of gold inside your turd after you pinch it off. He shouldn't exist. He's unnatural and frick you guys for being so lucky.

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we've won two titles since their last and the first was a year before their final title...would the evidence really say that they're a better program now? Historically sure it would, because they are, but does it say that about today? I kinda doubt it.

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thats my whole point....

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Because what happened in the past honestly doesnt matter

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If you are judging whether success is simply because of the coach, the school, or a combination of both, the past absolutely matters.

Otherwise, LSU has been 'elite' for only 12% of its existence.

Without reading all the other responses.

Saban won a SEC Title in his 2nd year at both places.

In Saban's 3rd year at LSU: 2002. Matt Mauck broke his leg in the 4th quarter in a game where LSU was up 31-7 (or something like that) against Florida. That broken leg combined with losing our QB on Defense for the season a game later destroyed the 2002 season. LSU simply did not have an effective back-up QB to come in and execute the way Mauck could.

Saban won a National Title in his 3rd season at Bama and in his 4th season at LSU. See 3rd season at LSU above.

In Saban's 5th season at LSU, he was pretty pre-occupied with going to the NFL. He started flirting with the NFL in 2002 and by the 2004 season, he was pretty hell bent on going. Saban always had a major itch to coach at the highest level and he got his chance at the end of the 2004 season. No way LSU loses to Iowa in that bowl game if Saban hadn't checked out mentally after signing with the Dolphins.

Go look at LSU's signing classes under Saban in 2001-2004. They are freaking Great. He set up Miles perfectly. Had Saban stayed on at LSU, there is no doubt in my mind that LSU wins a National Title 2 out of the next 3 years.

Saban had already scratched his NFL itch by the time he signed on with Bama. Bama gave him ultimate control of the entire program. He earned that control through his success at LSU.

Saban learned a lot in his time at LSU and with the Dolphins. Believe it or not, but people actually do get better with age and experience. A lot of young people don't quite understand that concept.

Saban and Bama during this run have been the perfect marriage. Nothing more to add here. Bama is a great, great job and Saban is the best coach in the history of College football. The results speak for themselves.

Now THIS is spot ON!

Nice job SAGE!

It's a combination of factors but the #1 reason is that Saban always had his eye on the NFL when he was at LSU. He wasn't 100% focused on LSU because he was biding his time waiting for the right NFL job to open up. Bama got Saban when he had scratched his NFL itch and had little interest in making another move. He solely cared about doing the best possible job he can with Bama. The level of dedication and commitment that Saban's had at Bama is 10x higher than what he had for LSU and certainly Michigan State.

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I would say probably not.

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I would say you are wrong. By 2004, Saban's recruiting prowess had assembled for LSU a roster of great players who gave LSU a historically GREAT three year run when Miles came into the picture. Consider these names. JaMarcus Russell, Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis, Early Doucet, Ali Highsmith, Laron Landry, Matt Flynn, Chevis Jackson, Jonathan Zenon, Glenn Dorsey, Jacob Hester and Peter Dyakowski. All of the above were signed by Nick Saban .

Those guys were all difference makers and if used properly in 2006 LSU would have won the national championship if not for some crappy officiating at Auburn. I would not hesitate to say that if Saban was coaching that team with Fisher as the OC we win that game and we would have avenged the defeat against FLA in the SECCG because by year's end, LSU probably was the best team in the county with Miles as the HC.

We would have repeated in 2007 as well and maybe had gone undefeated.....Kentucky and the Arky losses were coaching failures. I would also assert that LSU would have taken the NC in 2010 and 2011 as well, given the make up of those teams.

Saban leaving conceivably cost LSU 3-4 National Championships from 2005-2012.

I would also say that had Saban never left for Miami, Alabama's fortunes would not be where they are today...probably would have run through a coach or two.

You guys in Tuscaloosa should send Thank you baskets to the Huizengas every year

Have an upvote. Believe it or not I can agree about the officiating in that Aub / LSU game. It was BRUTAL on BOTH sides.

If they REALLY wanted to look into SEC Ref corruption, they would find plenty. I know LSU fans get a bad rap blaming refs but I have always believed the SEC has the most corrupt refs. No doubt in my mind.