MSU fan's view on if $aban had stayed in EL

Submitted by UMxWolverines on
This is so funny. People here actually think that $aban might have stayed in East Lansing . Here's your answer: If $aban had stayed, yes, there probably would have been a national championship or two this past decade. But asking that question is like asking, "if I were born with wheels for feet, could I run faster?" It's not physically possible and it could never happen. There is/was no real or imaginable amount of currency or other contract terms on the face of this Earth that could have kept him at Michigan State these last ten years. The guy clearly had his sights set elsewhere.
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MGOARMY

January 8th, 2010 at 4:21 PM ^

For sparty fans Saban's success after MSU must be like having you're first love dump you, then go on to be miss America twice, while you're married to a plain jane.

Joined: 06/22/2009

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panthera leo fututio

January 8th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^

I think it's actually a pretty useful signalling device. Going on a message board and seeing somebody write "scUM", "Dumbtonio", "Dick Rod", "O$U", etc., etc., is kind of like walking into a party and seeing some guy wearing an Ed Hardy shirt - we're just probably not going to have much in common, and it's good to know that before we spend 5 minutes in mutually annoying conversation.

Joined: 09/15/2008

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BlueFish

January 8th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^

Fact is, a significant reason why Saban probably left (in addition to greener pastures where there's little or no culture of inferiority) was so that he didn't need to compete as hard for recruits in his own state. (Yes, I realize he now competes with Auburn, but he didn't have major in-state competition at LSU, and, well, it's Alabama we're talking about.) We all know Michigan isn't a hotbed of football talent. But to compete with U-M for the best in-state recruits every year and not be able to recruit nationally like U-M? He had no chance, and he knew it. And he's just too ambitious to fight that uphill battle with such a small chance of success. Multiple NCs? Even one? I just don't see it.

Joined: 08/21/2009

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HailHailToMichigan

January 8th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^

As I remember, the Free Press or Det News had a quote of his near the front page when he left MSU. I don't remember it verbatim but it was something along the lines of, "In the state of Michigan, U of M will always be #1 in college football". He was tired of playing second fiddle so he bounced out of the state. Even Nick Saban knew he couldn't bring MSU to UofM's level. I hate the guy, but his track record as a coach is as good as it gets.

Joined: 11/25/2008

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Tater

January 8th, 2010 at 5:19 PM ^

Saban left because of meddling and a lack of support from the MSU administration. We've all seen the footage of Saban on the sideline, not even smiling after a MNC; I'm guessing he doesn't put up with much BS from anyone. Can anyone here imagine him taking orders from some administrator who saw football as something to be tolerated and not embraced? I know I can't. With a decent administration, Saban could have delivered a MNC or two to MSU, but there was no way he was going to have that kind of a situation at MSU. Saban needs to be able to call his own shots and tell everyone with whom he disagrees to kiss his ass without consequence; that was not the situation at MSU. If Saban hadn't left MSU, it might have ended in homicide.

Joined: 08/13/2008

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BillyShears

January 8th, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^

Someone please explain to me how Nick Saban got this reputation of caring only about the money. Let's look at his career path: Left Toledo for Michigan State: UPGRADE Left Michigan State for LSU: UPGRADE Left LSU for the NFL: UPGRADE Couldn't hack it in the NFL, found a job in college What is so wrong with that?

Joined: 05/27/2009

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goblue1327

January 8th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^

I realize that Saban, even though he annoys me, is clearly a very good coach. But in college football the school often times makes the coach. Unless you are an inventive genius like RR at West Virginia or Urban Meyer at Utah, its very hard to turn an inconsistent program into a consistent national contender, especially when they are dominated in in-state recruiting like MSU is by Michigan. Jimmy Johnson probably wouldn't have won a NC at Oklahoma State, Bear Bryant probably wouldn't have at Texas A&M, Bobby Bowden wouldn't have at West Virginia. You have to give Saban tons of credit, but its not like he completely turned a school with no tradition around in 2 years.

Joined: 10/14/2009

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DaytonBlue

January 8th, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^

Turned the program around and into a powerhouse. Won a national championship in year 3. Hopefully, inventive genius RR can get us to a bowl game in year 3 of his tenure.

Joined: 12/08/2009

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UMMAN83

January 8th, 2010 at 7:10 PM ^

that campus is party central. It would have been just a matter of time until he inherited the current "thug" situation. Saban is a smart man. He knew when to get out of Dodge.

Joined: 11/26/2009

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raleighwood

January 8th, 2010 at 8:56 PM ^

I find it pretty hard to believe that Saban would have won a MNC at MSU in the past decade. Let's take a look at the teams that have won......Alabama, Florida (2), LSU, Texas, OSU, Miami, Oklahoma.....those are all noted football schools. MSU is a tier (or two) below all of those schools in terms of football. I think that schools win titles more than coaches (reputation, tradition, facilities, recruiting base....). A great coach can obviously help facilitate matters but I think it's more about the school than the coach.

Joined: 11/26/2008

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Dave Brandon

January 9th, 2010 at 3:02 AM ^

they'd be better than michigan, no doubt about that. i dont know what saban does exactly...but there is no counter to it.

Joined: 01/09/2010

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