re: When we got Saban from Michigan State what stood out about him?

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He had Michigan State on the upswing after they'd kinda faded into mediocrity under Perles.

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Really, it wasn't until his final season at MSU that they had gotten beyond right around .500. Saban had an NFL background, but it wasn't like Belichek was Bleichek at that time. Bill was probably seen as more of "brains" behind the defense even with Saban as the DC just like some Saban's DC's are looked at now. What sold LSU the most was Nick had a very detailed plan/vision of how he was going to tap into the "natural resources" LSU was wasting (tremendous talent pool both in state and regionally).

Many may not want to admit it, but in a lot of ways Mel Tucker's resume mirrors Saban's before he came to LSU. Lots of NFL experience and the same year the LSU job comes open he is having a great season with MSU. Even their ages are about the same at that point in their careers (Saban was ~49 when LSU hired him; Tucker is 49 now)

NO DOUBT that is what Tucker's agent (a guy named Jimmy Sexton) is selling to MSU. He's probably saying "You had Nick Saban here and you let him get away to LSU. Don't make the same mistake twice!!"

Now, is it realistic to think Tucker would achieve the same level of success Saban has? Of course not. But if you want to see who has probably the most pre-LSU Saban-esque resume, it is probably Tucker.