Nicolas Saban

[DarkVolder]

I really think he’s almost done and will retire in the next couple of years if not this offseason it also wouldn’t surprise me if he stepped down in the coming weeks. He won’t win another national title either the game has changed and he no longer can buy the best players over everyone else that’s why he hates NIL and the transfer portal. He also hasn’t won a legit fans in the stands national title since 2017. I just hope we beat the cheating midget one more time before he sneaks out the back door..

 

[05_never_again]

I really think he’s almost done and will retire in the next couple of years if not this offseason it also wouldn’t surprise me if he stepped down in the coming weeks. He won’t win another national title either the game has changed and he no longer can buy the best players over everyone else that’s why he hates NIL and the transfer portal. He also hasn’t won a legit fans in the stands national title since 2017. I just hope we beat the cheating midget one more time before he sneaks out the back door..

He's totally capable of winning another title, and if he does get one within the next couple of years I think he might.

2023 was probably one of his best coaching jobs.

 

[ptcarter]

I kind of agree with OP here. Bama dang lucky to even get a shot this year. One play away from getting into finals as the Tide faithful keep saying, and that is true, but they sucked on that one play, and speaking of one play, Auburn sucked on their one play to keep Bama out. Dang you Barners, you just couldn't pull it off.

Was listening to Big Orange Sunday yesterday. Fulmer was the guest talking about how it's been 25 years since the Fiesta Bowl. The subject of todays game compared to back then, and Fulmer pretty much said (paraphrasing), "They have chosen to make this a business, and now we can legally pay players, but don't kid yourself, it was going on for a long time, and now that everyone is doing it, it's hurting those that used to get away with it". That was my take away. He didn't mention Bama specifically, but strongly implied. With the addition of OU and Texas, and no divisions anymore in the SEC, the pathway is harder. Bama lost some players they didn't expect to the portal. I don't expect them to be near as good next year.

 

[bamawriter]

Bama lost some players they didn't expect to the portal.

Who are these players?

 

[05_never_again]

I kind of agree with OP here. Bama dang lucky to even get a shot this year. One play away from getting into finals as the Tide faithful keep saying, and that is true, but they sucked on that one play, and speaking of one play, Auburn sucked on their one play to keep Bama out. Dang you Barners, you just couldn't pull it off.

Was listening to Big Orange Sunday yesterday. Fulmer was the guest talking about how it's been 25 years since the Fiesta Bowl. The subject of todays game compared to back then, and Fulmer pretty much said (paraphrasing), "They have chosen to make this a business, and now we can legally pay players, but don't kid yourself, it was going on for a long time, and now that everyone is doing it, it's hurting those that used to get away with it". That was my take away. He didn't mention Bama specifically, but strongly implied. With the addition of OU and Texas, and no divisions anymore in the SEC, the pathway is harder. Bama lost some players they didn't expect to the portal. I don't expect them to be near as good next year.

Is it? Whether it is above the table or below the table, paying players is good for the schools with the most money to spend. Since NIL, the schools with the most money still seem to be dominating the sport.

The much bigger chance in the sport, IMO, is the Portal. Being able to transfer without having to sit out a year is a sea change.

 

[ptcarter]

Saw somewhere that Georgia lost 18 to the portal and only 3 of them were 3 stars. The other 15 were 4 and 5 stars. To keep this on topic, it's good to have good recruiting, but it's big guns don't want to sit the bench for several years in waiting. I think NIL and the portal can decimate a stellar recruiting class a year downstream and Kirby and Saban are feeling these defections. Certainly takes the shine off having your school at the top of the totem pole when the classes are ranked, when the players leave before playing.

 

[Notorious B.E.N]

I really think he’s almost done and will retire in the next couple of years if not this offseason it also wouldn’t surprise me if he stepped down in the coming weeks. He won’t win another national title either the game has changed and he no longer can buy the best players over everyone else that’s why he hates NIL and the transfer portal. He also hasn’t won a legit fans in the stands national title since 2017. I just hope we beat the cheating midget one more time before he sneaks out the back door..

People have said for years, he's not going anywhere any time soon.

 

[GreveHaller]

Like many sucessful people he has personal goals. My guess is he wants to beat Bears NCs. He’s not a quitter like Urban so I think he goes till it happens

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

He's totally capable of winning another title, and if he does get one within the next couple of years I think he might.

2023 was probably one of his best coaching jobs.

People act like it's a miracle that Bama made it when their roster consists of 20% 5 stars and 90% bluechips.

They almost sh!t the bed against USF, Arkansas & Auburn.

Someone explain to me how that equates to one of his best coaching jobs?

 

[rjd970]

Is it? Whether it is above the table or below the table, paying players is good for the schools with the most money to spend. Since NIL, the schools with the most money still seem to be dominating the sport.

The much bigger chance in the sport, IMO, is the Portal. Being able to transfer without having to sit out a year is a sea change.

While this is true, NIL does open the door for schools that had resources but not the "under the table network". The Bama's and OSUs and UGAs have those in spades. Now the field is much larger that it has all gone above board and the top talent is spread more evenly over the schools with resources. Even this year Bama, OSU, and UGA aren't playing for a national championship. Agree that especially with UGA and Bama they played each other and that is why UGA isn't in, however I still think we will see more and more parity with the high resource teams in the coming years.

Your second point is certainly valid, the portal is a true game changer, but I think it is a combination of both that is changing the game and equalizing parity.

 

[05_never_again]

People act like it's a miracle that Bama made it when their roster consists of 20% 5 stars and 90% bluechips.

They almost sh!t the bed against USF, Arkansas & Auburn.

Someone explain to me how that equates to one of his best coaching jobs?

Easy - their O line was a mess at various points this season, especially early on, and Jalen Milroe was simply not good early in the year. Beat a better team, with a deeper roster, in the biggest game of the season to sneak into the playoff once again. They got so much better as the season went on.

 

[ReelfootVol]

While this is true, NIL does open the door for schools that had resources but not the "under the table network". The Bama's and OSUs and UGAs have those in spades. Now the field is much larger that it has all gone above board and the top talent is spread more evenly over the schools with resources. Even this year Bama, OSU, and UGA aren't playing for a national championship. Agree that especially with UGA and Bama they played each other and that is why UGA isn't in, however I still think we will see more and more parity with the high resource teams in the coming years.

Your second point is certainly valid, the portal is a true game changer, but I think it is a combination of both that is changing the game and equalizing parity.

Your last sentence sums up my feelings 100%.

 

[volfanbill]

Ftr, it’s Nicholas.

And a guy in the main forum doubled down earlier this year that he’s retiring after this very season. So, in short, it’s happening.

 

[volfanbill]

Also, some of y’all prolly need to know the above should be in blue font.

 

[NOLACHUCKEYTOM]

Easy - their O line was a mess at various points this season, especially early on, and Jalen Milroe was simply not good early in the year. Beat a better team, with a deeper roster, in the biggest game of the season to sneak into the playoff once again. They got so much better as the season went on.

And they had call after call after call go in their favor. If the Vols had gotten those same calls we would have won the second half at Bama.

 

[rjd970]

And they had call after call after call go in their favor. If the Vols had gotten those same calls we would have won the second half ta Bama.

It's also worth pointing out that Bama's two losses were without SEC officiating crews (I think). Also, not sure which conference the crew in their USF game was from, but they struggled there as well. When you can't hold with impunity, it shows, like it did in the semi-final game and they gave up sacks like it was September again.

 

[Boston Vol]

It's also worth pointing out that Bama's two losses were without SEC officiating crews (I think). Also, not sure which conference the crew in their USF game was from, but they struggled there as well. When you can't hold with impunity, it shows, like it did in the semi-final game and they gave up sacks like it was September again.

Texas game was SEC officials.

 

[rjd970]

Texas game was SEC officials.

ok, wasn't sure on the Texas game.

 

[bamawriter]

It's also worth pointing out that Bama's two losses were without SEC officiating crews (I think). Also, not sure which conference the crew in their USF game was from, but they struggled there as well. When you can't hold with impunity, it shows, like it did in the semi-final game and they gave up sacks like it was September again.

Alabama played 2 games that weren't called by SEC refs (USF and Michigan) and were called for holding once in those games (against USF on Bama's last possession).

 

[CAVPUT]

I really think he’s almost done and will retire in the next couple of years if not this offseason it also wouldn’t surprise me if he stepped down in the coming weeks. He won’t win another national title either the game has changed and he no longer can buy the best players over everyone else that’s why he hates NIL and the transfer portal. He also hasn’t won a legit fans in the stands national title since 2017. I just hope we beat the cheating midget one more time before he sneaks out the back door..

What message board or podcast did you get this from? Silly.

 

[Firebirdparts]

The thing that I think is the big change is the price. People always want to be the first to blubber that they paid players years ago. Not 8 million dollars they didn’t. The menu has been reprinted.

If a million fans give $100 each it’s probably sustainable. Tennessee could do that.

 

[BearCat204]

Been writing Sabans retirement letter for the past 15 years

 

[rjd970]

Saban isn't retiring until we see it. That said, the road to out-talenting opponents is going to be tougher.

 

[wmcovol]

Saban will stay as long as the calls keep going his way. He almost got to a NC game this year with a flawed team.

The SEC has to realize now he doesn’t carry the water for the conference any more. It’s time to treat them like the rest of us. The preferred treatment they got this year probably cost the league a Natty cause Ga was clearly the best SEC team this year.

 

[Zues1]

Saban will stay as long as the calls keep going his way. He almost got to a NC game this year with a flawed team.

The SEC has to realize now he doesn’t carry the water for the conference any more. It’s time to treat them like the rest of us. The preferred treatment they got this year probably cost the league a Natty cause Ga was clearly the best SEC team this year.

GA was but they crapped the bed when they laid the ball on the carpet on the reverse.
Tried to be cute, cost em another shot. Thank goodness.