Crossfire 2

[Lord Vader]

The whole Bowlsby thing could really go to crap. I just dont know why.

 

[utparothed]

On to the coaching search.
Sabans if he wants and I think he does.

2nd Tier - Gruden, Carroll & Tomlin

3rd Tier - Muschamp, Fitzgerald & Briles

Joined a while ago but this is my first post. Ya'll are doing a great job on this board, I hope that it keeps growing.

I keep trying to wrap my head around the idea of Saban coming to Texas and can't do it for a couple of reasons:

1. He's won a MNC at LSU and in his 6 seasons at Bama he's won 3 crystal footballs and looks to have a shot at a 4th this season, his 5th overall. As much as I hate to say it, I don't see Bama dropping out of the MNC chase anytime in the near future which gives him the opportunity to eclipse the 6 championships won by Bear; so if he decides he's only going to coach for 5 more years why would he give up that opportunity? We should be on a level playing field with Bama when it comes to being an elite program but we're not there right now and, in all likelihood, it's going to take a couple of seasons to get us back there regardless of who's coaching.

2. $10M is a lot of money but, at this point in his career, is more money going to be the deciding factor in him making the change? What happens when/if Bama matches the $$? It'd be ignorance/arrogance to assume that they lack the ability to counter almost any offer that we make.

3. Saban's got more coaching years behind him than in front of him and he's built a program that, from the outside, seems to run like a well-oiled machine and a program that he runs without a great deal of "input" from boosters/bmds; will he be able to do the same here? Additionally, Nick's not the most media friendly coach out there, how's he going to handle the LHN? Will the UT culture change or will Nick? And would the additional distractions be a deterrent?

I think that Saban's the kind of coach that we need right now...someone who's going to come in and run his program, his way...and I hope that the rumor's true (I have a good friend who's a huge Bama fan...I'd have a field day giving him hell!!!).

 

[Lord Vader]

Joined a while ago but this is my first post. Ya'll are doing a great job on this board, I hope that it keeps growing.

Appreciate that. We hope it keeps going as well.

I keep trying to wrap my head around the idea of Saban coming to Texas and can't do it for a couple of reasons:
1. He's won a MNC at LSU and in his 6 seasons at Bama he's won 3 crystal footballs and looks to have a shot at a 4th this season, his 5th overall. As much as I hate to say it, I don't see Bama dropping out of the MNC chase anytime in the near future which gives him the opportunity to eclipse the 6 championships won by Bear; so if he decides he's only going to coach for 5 more years why would he give up that opportunity? We should be on a level playing field with Bama when it comes to being an elite program but we're not there right now and, in all likelihood, it's going to take a couple of seasons to get us back there regardless of who's coaching.

Because no one has won national championships at three different schools, and if he rebuilt Alabama, Texas, and won one at LSU he would be the greatest coach in college football history. He also can rebuild here even faster than he did at Bama

2. $10M is a lot of money but, at this point in his career, is more money going to be the deciding factor in him making the change? What happens when/if Bama matches the $$? It'd be ignorance/arrogance to assume that they lack the ability to counter almost any offer that we make.

See above, I think its only partially about money.

3. Saban's got more coaching years behind him than in front of him and he's built a program that, from the outside, seems to run like a well-oiled machine and a program that he runs without a great deal of "input" from boosters/bmds; will he be able to do the same here? Additionally, Nick's not the most media friendly coach out there, how's he going to handle the LHN? Will the UT culture change or will Nick? And would the additional distractions be a deterrent?

The culture needs to be changed here. Thats why some of the big cigars want him.

I think that Saban's the kind of coach that we need right now...someone who's going to come in and run his program, his way...and I hope that the rumor's true (I have a good friend who's a huge Bama fan...I'd have a field day giving him hell!!!).

It would be interesting and the only non risk hire out there.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Joined a while ago but this is my first post. Ya'll are doing a great job on this board, I hope that it keeps growing.
I keep trying to wrap my head around the idea of Saban coming to Texas and can't do it for a couple of reasons:

1. He's won a MNC at LSU and in his 6 seasons at Bama he's won 3 crystal footballs and looks to have a shot at a 4th this season, his 5th overall. As much as I hate to say it, I don't see Bama dropping out of the MNC chase anytime in the near future which gives him the opportunity to eclipse the 6 championships won by Bear; so if he decides he's only going to coach for 5 more years why would he give up that opportunity? We should be on a level playing field with Bama when it comes to being an elite program but we're not there right now and, in all likelihood, it's going to take a couple of seasons to get us back there regardless of who's coaching.

2. $10M is a lot of money but, at this point in his career, is more money going to be the deciding factor in him making the change? What happens when/if Bama matches the $$? It'd be ignorance/arrogance to assume that they lack the ability to counter almost any offer that we make.

3. Saban's got more coaching years behind him than in front of him and he's built a program that, from the outside, seems to run like a well-oiled machine and a program that he runs without a great deal of "input" from boosters/bmds; will he be able to do the same here? Additionally, Nick's not the most media friendly coach out there, how's he going to handle the LHN? Will the UT culture change or will Nick? And would the additional distractions be a deterrent?

I think that Saban's the kind of coach that we need right now...someone who's going to come in and run his program, his way...and I hope that the rumor's true (I have a good friend who's a huge Bama fan...I'd have a field day giving him hell!!!).

Not sure if you've watched Bama play this year but they are a shell of their former selves. Their terrible schedule masks the fact they are not what they were. Bama is on their way down. They lose AJ next year... Their play is markedly less than what it was... I would be willing to bet a decent sum of money that not only does Bama not win the NC this year, they don't even play in it. Austin, money, and potential are def enough to draw him away... Whether he chooses to leave or not this late in his life is yet to be determined. IMO...

 

[The Tower]

I also think it is Saban as well.

Others? Gruden? HELL NO. Carroll is an interesting choice. I rather have Muschamp.

Fitzgerald is going to stay at Northwestern.

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I sure hope Saban is not playing us. I am afraid I am getting all excited just for a huge letdown.

 

[bbdude]

The rest of the world thinks we are delusional if we think Saban is coming to Austin.

 

[bbdude]

Good dialogue about whether or not Saban would leave Bama for Texas. Truth is we do not know his financial position nor the size of his ego. Remember the rumor last year about the bad land deal Saban was engaged in which left him in debt? Would you rather live in Austin or Tuscaloosa? In the state of Texas or Alabama? All variables to consider.... If it is a dollars and sense game and we do get into a bidding war I do not see the Tide being able to outspend UT.

He has a history of being rather nomadic and it just might be time to move on to the next show.

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I think we are going after him as hard as we can. The key will he listen.

 

[Lord Vader]

He will listen.

 

[utparothed]

I sure hope Saban is not playing us. I am afraid I am getting all excited just for a huge letdown.

What if it IS all about money and he's using us as leverage for a bigger payday at Bama...

 

[TheContractor]

What if it IS all about money and he's using us as leverage for a bigger payday at Bama...

At this point, I think that is a possibility.

 

[bbdude]

Absolutely it is a possibility.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Ok so as I follow the recruiting trail this year more and more top notch talent is opting away from Bama... Bama just lost a battle for a 5 star DE to A&M. It feels, atleast to me, that Bamas cycle is nearing its end. Losing Mccarron, losing recruits to conference foes and ooc teams as well, and the overall down turn in Bamas play... The media isn't deep throating them to no end this year and people realize their success this year is due to the joke they call a schedule. I personally believe, taking into account all the factors, UT is a much more appealing job. I've heard Mccarrons replacement is a mobile QB... That means the entire style of football that Bama plays would have to change to accommodate that.

I say all that to say, while I'm not sure what his decision will be, Bama is down trending from what I can personally tell and UT is one great coach and staff away from dominating the college football realm. I think while money is a factor, we provide a ton of other incentives... From a state that you don't have to leave for recruiting, if you so choose... A program with a great reputation... Austin, its not Alabama, enough said... Tons of tradition and great fans... And the money doesn't hurt. But most of all... Bama has peaked while UT is on its way back up.

 

[Lord Vader]

You've also got to look at what Alabama has stocked up and how many offers they have out. Seems theyve got more "committable" offers out than ever before.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

You've also got to look at what Alabama has stocked up and how many offers they have out. Seems theyve got more "committable" offers out than ever before.

Could you explain... Pretty sure I got the concept you're pointing out but want to make sure. If I understand you correctly, I got your point and agree... But feel a shift coming.

Everybody wants to talk "dynasty" problem with college in that respect is that players leave. So you've got to start over at most positions, at best, every 4 years... At worst every 2 years.

 

[utparothed]

Bama's last couple of classes have been pretty highly ranked and this year's commit list looks pretty stacked. They'll lose experience to the NFL/graduation but not talent, they've got plenty of that waiting in the wings. As for a down turn in play...can't say I agree with you on that one. They're 6-0 and have absolutely dominated everyone they've played except the gaggies. That said, I realize that the teams they've dominated include Georgia State, Kentucky and Colorado State and that they struggled with the only team that put up any kind of a fight. We'll see what they're really made of when the Bayou Bengals go into Tuscaloosa on 11/9.

I'm absolutely on board with UT being a good coach/staff away from being back in the MNC race annually and I can see how that would be extremely attractive to a coach who's rebuilt and won championships with 2 of college football's elite. IMHO, if he comes to Texas that will be the reason, it'll either be ego or the challenge of getting it done but I think that he knows that he can do it again and that UT is the place he can get it done fastest.

 

[Lord Vader]

Could you explain... Pretty sure I got the concept you're pointing out but want to make sure. If I understand you correctly, I got your point and agree... But feel a shift coming.
Everybody wants to talk "dynasty" problem with college in that respect is that players leave. So you've got to start over at most positions, at best, every 4 years... At worst every 2 years.

UTP covered it pretty well, and yeah, you seem to grasp the concept of the "commitable" vs non "commitable" offer.

That would be one of the only things that concerned me with Saban. If you offer a kid you offer him, not offer with conditions.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Bama's last couple of classes have been pretty highly ranked and this year's commit list looks pretty stacked. They'll lose experience to the NFL/graduation but not talent, they've got plenty of that waiting in the wings. As for a down turn in play...can't say I agree with you on that one. They're 6-0 and have absolutely dominated everyone they've played except the gaggies. That said, I realize that the teams they've dominated include Georgia State, Kentucky and Colorado State and that they struggled with the only team that put up any kind of a fight. We'll see what they're really made of when the Bayou Bengals go into Tuscaloosa on 11/9.
I'm absolutely on board with UT being a good coach/staff away from being back in the MNC race annually and I can see how that would be extremely attractive to a coach who's rebuilt and won championships with 2 of college football's elite. IMHO, if he comes to Texas that will be the reason, it'll either be ego or the challenge of getting it done but I think that he knows that he can do it again and that UT is the place he can get it done fastest.

Hahaha We'll have to agree to disagree on the current quality of Bama... They managed to schedule just two teams that have the ability to consistently win. They aren't the best team in the country. There aren't many top ten teams that wouldn't be 6-0 if they played Bamas schedule. Hahaha...

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

UTP covered it pretty well, and yeah, you seem to grasp the concept of the "commitable" vs non "commitable" offer.
That would be one of the only things that concerned me with Saban. If you offer a kid you offer him, not offer with conditions.

Ive never been a fan of how I have heard Saban deals with recruits. I love the fact that if Mack offers a kid and he gets hurt, he still has the scholarship. Commitment should be fulfilled on both sides. Heard Saban isn't so kind.