Could it be Satan?
Mal Moore and Nick Saban are proving that winning at Alabama does not require scruples. Why is it that Moore can't take no for an answer and continues to pile money on the fire while Saban, continues to deny, deny, deny even though he is close to accepting Alabama's offer.
If he does accept (and we are waiting for that announcement even as we type) what has Alabama football won? They have won a man, that for enough money and power, will run out on people that he has promised to stick by.
Nick Saban ran out on Michigan State. He ran out on LSU when he discovered that he was only third in popularity in that state to Skip Bertman and Emeril. He ran to the Dolphins and was given complete control of the franchise. Every decision made by the Dolphins has to cross Saban's desk. And he was given a brink's truck full of money.
But, apparently, Nick Saban wants more. More money. More popularity. More power. And, he may be on the threshold of getting them at Alabama. But the question is for how long?
How long will the coach with the deep pockets and the wandering eye stay in Tuscaloosa? How long until the next suitor comes along, ups the ante and spirits Saban away on a jet the same way Alabama wants to. Didn't Mal Moore learn anything from the Dennis Franchione era? That a coach may intend to stay, but could run when it gets a little warm around the collar? What if Michigan or USC come calling? Or the Dallas Cowboys? Will Saban rebuff them the way he has "rebuffed" Alabama? And, where will Alabama be if Saban shows up, builds a program for three years and then hops on a jet with Tuscaloosa in his rear view mirror?
Yeah, okay give me old, tired argument that coaches have a short shelf life and he wants a better quality of life for his family and yadda, yadda, yadda, but in return I ask you how much is enough and how many times is it okay to break your word to people you gave it to before you have zero credibility. And, while I understand a big part of this is Mrs. Saban and her not being enthralled with South Florida, perhaps she should have spoke up two years ago when her husband bolted sleepy Baton Rouge for Miami. Come to think of it, I don't believe that ever came up.
To Mal Moore and Paul Bryant Jr., none of that matters. The hook runs so deep at the capstone that Bryant had the board of trustees block Jimbo Fisher's bid to become head coach at UAB because they figured if they lured Saban to Alabama, Fisher would come along as his offensive coordinator. Never mind the candidate they did approve, Neil Calloway is a second rate, "C" list football coach, UAB is not going to have its success at the expense of the Crimson Tide.
Is it any wonder a decent, blue collar guy like Rich Rodriguez decided he was better off at West Virginia then at Alabama?
ESPN is now reporting that Saban is taking the job, so the big question has just been answered. The biggest question now is, what kind of future is it for Alabama football?
If he does accept (and we are waiting for that announcement even as we type) what has Alabama football won? They have won a man, that for enough money and power, will run out on people that he has promised to stick by.
Nick Saban ran out on Michigan State. He ran out on LSU when he discovered that he was only third in popularity in that state to Skip Bertman and Emeril. He ran to the Dolphins and was given complete control of the franchise. Every decision made by the Dolphins has to cross Saban's desk. And he was given a brink's truck full of money.
But, apparently, Nick Saban wants more. More money. More popularity. More power. And, he may be on the threshold of getting them at Alabama. But the question is for how long?
How long will the coach with the deep pockets and the wandering eye stay in Tuscaloosa? How long until the next suitor comes along, ups the ante and spirits Saban away on a jet the same way Alabama wants to. Didn't Mal Moore learn anything from the Dennis Franchione era? That a coach may intend to stay, but could run when it gets a little warm around the collar? What if Michigan or USC come calling? Or the Dallas Cowboys? Will Saban rebuff them the way he has "rebuffed" Alabama? And, where will Alabama be if Saban shows up, builds a program for three years and then hops on a jet with Tuscaloosa in his rear view mirror?
Yeah, okay give me old, tired argument that coaches have a short shelf life and he wants a better quality of life for his family and yadda, yadda, yadda, but in return I ask you how much is enough and how many times is it okay to break your word to people you gave it to before you have zero credibility. And, while I understand a big part of this is Mrs. Saban and her not being enthralled with South Florida, perhaps she should have spoke up two years ago when her husband bolted sleepy Baton Rouge for Miami. Come to think of it, I don't believe that ever came up.
To Mal Moore and Paul Bryant Jr., none of that matters. The hook runs so deep at the capstone that Bryant had the board of trustees block Jimbo Fisher's bid to become head coach at UAB because they figured if they lured Saban to Alabama, Fisher would come along as his offensive coordinator. Never mind the candidate they did approve, Neil Calloway is a second rate, "C" list football coach, UAB is not going to have its success at the expense of the Crimson Tide.
Is it any wonder a decent, blue collar guy like Rich Rodriguez decided he was better off at West Virginia then at Alabama?
ESPN is now reporting that Saban is taking the job, so the big question has just been answered. The biggest question now is, what kind of future is it for Alabama football?
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