re: Saban did not build LSU into a powerhouse. Mark Emmert did.

Before Saban, our identity was a scrappy underdog with a rabid, rowdy fan base that would make Saturday night in Tiger Stadium miserable for opponents. We woild win 8-9 games a season, travel to a bowl game, and pull off a major upset every couple of years or so. And we were happy with that.

Saban changed that. He showed us what champions did, and we followed. He changed, no elevated, our culture to the point that the 2 bumbling fools that followed him won championships.

I hated that he left for the NFL, but rationalized that he wanted that challenge. I was so angry when he went to Bama. Anywhere but Bama!

I’m still angry about that, but in the end he has my respect and gratitude for elevating our program to where we can contend for the championship. And I believe Kelly can get us there again.