Saban on the hot seat

[bamawriter]

Simple question here...

Would you have hired Kiffin?

No, I wouldn't have. Both because I'm not sold on him as a coach and I dislike how he's always carried himself.

But, that doesn't mean the guy is incapable of succeeding at Alabama. I have my doubts. But there are a bunch of folks on here who let their hatred convince them that Kiffin's failure is guaranteed. That thought process is ridiculous.

 

[Grand Vol]

No, I wouldn't have. Both because I'm not sold on him as a coach and I dislike how he's always carried himself.

But, that doesn't mean the guy is incapable of succeeding at Alabama. I have my doubts. But there are a bunch of folks on here who let their hatred convince them that Kiffin's failure is guaranteed. That thought process is ridiculous.

I'll get all Shakespearean on you:

What's past is prologue

Any reason he'll suddenly turn around and start coaching up to the level Alabama expects to be at? And don't give me the whole "He was WONDERFUL under Pete Carroll" nonsense, that was how many years ago?

 

[Kook]

No, I wouldn't have. Both because I'm not sold on him as a coach and I dislike how he's always carried himself.

But, that doesn't mean the guy is incapable of succeeding at Alabama. I have my doubts. But there are a bunch of folks on here who let their hatred convince them that Kiffin's failure is guaranteed. That thought process is ridiculous.

How successful has he been since USC...the first go around? They only way I see this being successful is if Saban limits his powers greatly. And if that is the case, why hire him?

 

[bamawriter]

I'll get all Shakespearean on you:

What's past is prologue

Any reason he'll suddenly turn around and start coaching up to the level Alabama expects to be at? And don't give me the whole "He was WONDERFUL under Pete Carroll" nonsense, that was how many years ago?

It's also the last time he was simply an OC, but I get your point.

Again, nothing is for certain here. I don't like the hire, but no one is offering me $7.5 million to make these kinds of decisions.

 

[bamawriter]

How successful has he been since USC...the first go around? They only way I see this being successful is if Saban limits his powers greatly. And if that is the case, why hire him?

I'm not sure what you mean by "limits his powers".

Regardless, Saban has always dictated what kind of offensive system his team is going to run. The OC's job is to coach QBs and call plays from the booth. If that's "limiting his powers" then Saban was going to do that to whomever he hired.

 

[Kook]

I'm not sure what you mean by "limits his powers".

Regardless, Saban has always dictated what kind of offensive system his team is going to run. The OC's job is to coach QBs and call plays from the booth. If that's "limiting his powers" then Saban was going to do that to whomever he hired.

I was thinking more along the lines of; taking away his power to call plays on big 3rd downs, maybe even red zone plays. And possibly even take over for important series in close games. Basically, take over any time Lane would have a chance to possibly put bama on the losing side of things.

 

[Grand Vol]

It's also the last time he was simply an OC, but I get your point.

Again, nothing is for certain here. I don't like the hire, but no one is offering me $7.5 million to make these kinds of decisions.

I would have taken far less to say "no" myself.

 

[daj2576]

Saban has been very open about his desire to completely revamp the offense. With Kiffin doing for him, its bound to backfire. A few incomplete deep balls on 3rd and inches, a few timely interceptions, or just some "we are not on the same page" penalties, and the tide could lose a few games this year. All the patience in Alabama would only half fill a shot glass. All this is without pointing out that Kiffin cant be breathing if he aint cheating. Hotseat? No...but it might not be as far fetched as you think. He actually took heat from the fan base after the AU fiasco. It only stopped because the rumors resurfaced about Saban going to Texas.

Saban is not the genius coach people make him out to be. His genius, at Bama, is in recruiting. He simply out talents his opponent.

Saban needs to revamp his defense, not his offense. If you think I'm wrong, look at the teams who have beat the Saban/Smart machine and see if there isn't a key ingredient they all share on offense (beyond all being less talented teams than Bama).

If that isn't obvious enough for you, ask yourself why almost every team in the SEC is bringing in coaches who run similar systems.

Kiffin isn't a cancer or a cure in this case. Saban reign is nearing the end because the game is about to pass by his defensive philosophy. No longer can Saban survive a late season loss to a spread/read option team and still win championships. He will still rack up wins but a couple of likely losses a season from here on out will be his undoing.