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

quote:

---

From all the stories that have been told here on the rant about what a prick saban was to everyone in the athletic department, I wouldn't blame Bertman at all for not wanting him to return. If the rumor is true

---

I don't see how you can say this.

So, let me ask you this. Would you trade our 1 National title under Miles for 5 National Titles under Saban?

I'm a Miles supporter but would kick him to the curb in a New York minute for a chance at 4 additional National Titles. And, you're right...there's no guarantee that he would have won 4 more. But, I guarantee you that he would have won at least 1 more. And, as a little lagniappe, Alabama remains praising the mythical Bear Bryant.

He is right!!imagine 4 more championships!!it makes me sick thinking about it!!

Perhaps the story of what happened that day in Bertman's office would interest people....

Saban and his family had made the tough decision that it was not time to leave for the NFL and that he would come back to LSU. The family was happy in BR and his daughter was just about to enter High School, and they wanted stability at that point for her. Plus Saban felt he had great teams on the horizon. Saban and his agent Jimmy Sexton left for a sit down in Bertman's office in which the goal was to negotiate a raise. Almost immediately after all were seated, Bertman looked at Saban, tuned a paper tablet around on his desk top, pushed it toward Nick and said "Which coach on this list do you think should replace you?'. BOOM - out the window went any negotiation of a salary increase or any opportunity at remaining in Baton Rouge. Saban went home and announced to a shocked family that they would be leaving Baton Rouge. I do not personally know if Bertman thought there was no chance of him staying, as is the popular opinion, or if he was just too cheap to pay the man, which is how it sat with the Sabans. But that's how it happened. People vilified Saban, but in my book, Bertman is the villain in that story. I think Saban would have stayed while Kristen was in high school, and then left afterwards. But I also think that would have given LSU 4 more years and a couple more NC's. But we'll never know.

quote:

---

TooSober

---

Let me guess:
You skipped the meeting to write that piece of crap.

Where in the world did you get that crap?

Bertman and Saban have made it clear that the decision was actually made before Thanksgiving. Huizenga was already offering everything to Saban and if he had turned it down, he feared that the NFL would stop calling. He felt he had to take the job. While he may have waivered several times during December, it wasn't about what Bertman did. Saban was already the highest paid coach in college due to winning the 03 title, so that part of his ego was as stroked as it could be.

The "what replacement" story that I actually believe is that Saban offered to sit down with Bertman to give some names and Bertman said, "don't bother. We already have a list we're looking at." I believe Saban was offended that Bertman wouldn't kneel down even as he was walking away.

As to whether Saban would have had the same success, it's impossible to tell. Riddle me this, Batman, who starts at QB in 2008 if Saban stays? Perriloux is not a correct answer, since he would have stayed committed to Texas if Saban had stayed. You would have to work hard to tell me that any of the QBs he's had at Alabama would have come to LSU (McCarron? Maybe; McIlroy? No chance). Our recent troubles have a lot to do with Louisiana not producing a lot of great QB prospects. (And, OBTW, that idiot he replaced at Bama won 10 games in 2005 and was the toast of Tuscaloosa.)

I doubt any story that says we could have kept him in 2005, and any conversation about him coming back in 2007 is an exercise in confirmation bias.

GEAUX TIGERS

Shaq is wrong about this one.

Skimmed the thread past the first page.

1. Saban was always going to leave LSU (or whatever college team he coached) for a shot for the NFL.

2. He's a better coach having had that NFL experience than he would be without that experience. There's no guarantee that he'd have had the same success at LSU (or whatever college team he coached) without that experience.

3. Saban is probably the best college football coach of this generation. But he has gotten a few breaks at Bama that he would not get at many other less-'historic' teams (*cough*mulliganchampionship*cough*)

4. Shaq is wrong.

5. Saban offered Houston Fricking Nutt as a replacement.

6. I disliked Bama at birth.

7. Frick Bama. And though I freely and fully acknowledge that Saban is one of the best coaches not just of this generation but any, frick him too.

quote:

---

Saban inquired to LSU as to whether or not they'd hire him back once he realized he didn't want to coach in the NFL anymore. That could have been a big mistake.

---

I am glad we displayed enough class not to frick over a coach with success to take back this egomaniac. Meanwhile those classless gumps threw Shula under the bus for this a hole. Shula got blamed for problems with the NCAA and got all his wins stripped

Saban is a classic example of the Peter principle in action. The NFL was the next logical step for him. frankly, had he found success in the pros, does anyone think he comes back to college ball?

It wasn't a money thing. College football mega salaries weren't really even a thing until Bama paid Saban, and at the time they were widely criticized for it. Saban won a Natty at LSU, but his last season was pretty shitty, no one could have known he would become GOAT.