re: Shaq: If LSU would have paid Saban, LSU would be Alabama

Let's look at this another way, rather than bash Shaq for an ill-advised statement. Where is the unreserved commitment to excellence from LSU's leadership in terms of money? That hair's difference between LSU and Bama may have a lot to do with Bama's leadership being willing to do whatever it takes to sustain that excellence. Look at all the "unpaid" coaches on Bama's payroll in other capacities-- they damn near have a coach per player. Where's LSU's nutritional center-- the donations are already there-- build the damn thing already! Does Bama hijack the athletic department to the tune of $10 million to allow these initiatives to move forward? You can debate Miles v. Saban all day long, but the bottom line is Saban would not have been able to reach the pinnacle of success he has at Bama without a lot of infrastructure and support from the leadership to sustain it.