Sometimes I wake up and realize I am not dreaming. Alabama football really is back. Not only has coach Saban steadied a sinking ship, he has armed the deck with powerful guns that can take down any opposing force. Don't look now, but I truly believe the best is yet to come.
In 2007, Mal Moore fired Mike Shula, an Alabama family member who took over a program that was all but pushing up daisies. Bama was in bad shape. Shula did what he was hired to to, and that was clean up a mess left behind by the penalties imposed on Alabama by the NCAA, and by the inept coaching of some of his predecessors. However he couldn't get the Tide where Bama fans and alum wanted it to be, and that was back in contention every year for a National Championship.
Along comes Nick Saban. The minute he stepped off the plane, Bama fans welcomed him with open arms, literally. There was a picture circulated of a lady grabbing and kissing Saban on the cheek as he was escorted through the crowd at the airport on his way to take charge of the Alabama football program. And take charge he did.
2007 was a challenge. Shula's players were undisciplined, and there was discord among the team. Rumors about players fighting over girlfriends made headlines instead of headlines about what was taking place on the field. Alabama football was in shambles. Coach Saban rallied the remaining troops as best he could, asking all to get on board with "The Process". Some did, some did not. He then hit the recruiting trail, and proceeded to recruit what has proven to be one of the best recruiting classes in college football history.
2008 was a great year, but Bama fans, known for extremely high expectations, were disappointed when the Tide lost to Florida in the SECCG and to Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Saban didn't allow that failure to go to waste. He used it as motivation. The following year, Alabama won a National Championship, and the Tide had finally returned to the top of the college football world.
The 2010 season came and went as a disappointing season, losing to South Carolina mid season, LSU and Auburn at the end. But the bowl game vs Michigan State again served as motivation to a team that would soon realize once again the fruits of their labor. Bama won the bowl game convincingly, 49-7, only allowing a TD to the Spartans in the fourth quarter with the second team on the field, proving mainly to themselves that there was a bright future ahead.
That performance proved to be prophetic. Bama cruised through the 2011 season and when the dust had settled, once again that 2008 recruiting class had won another National Championship. Bama is once again on top of the college football world.
But it didn't stop there. Coach Saban and the coaching staff are relentlessly building another recruiting class that is surpassed by no one. High school athletes are seemingly standing in line to play for the coach that builds National Championship caliber teams every year, and the coach that prepares winners to further their football careers by playing in the NFL. He is simply the best in the business.
The returning Alabama football team is loaded with talent, even after losing key starters like Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson. The o-line is experienced and very good, the quarterback position is solid, running backs are plentiful, and the defense is a reflection of the personality of its head coach...relentless.
What a turn around from just a few short years ago, and I am so proud of what coach Saban, the coaching staff, and the players have accomplished. Here's to continuing to build on what has proven to be one of the most successful college football programs in the nation. Congrats to Nick Saban, the best coach in college football. It just keeps getting better. Roll Tide!
12 (Bo)
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