I’m not arguing. You asked my opinion and I gave it. And all those media outlets couldn’t be writing about oversigning if it weren’t a matter of public record, now could they? I know a lot of kids who are smart enough to be in college but who don’t have the grades to qualify for academic scholarships. And if they don’t have the money to pay for a Division IA education, they’ll wind up at a JUCO, working for Mickey Ds while they struggle to get a degree. Is this news to you? This way they’re getting a shot to play for a major football program. I think getting a shot they wouldn’t otherwise have is a good thing.

I didn’t say the NCAA was okay with it. I said these schools are acting within the letter of the law–as the rules go. If you don’t like that, change the rules.

At Alabama you can roll up teams with lesser talent every Saturday.

It’s not OK with the NCAA. This has been described as an “epidemic” by the NCAA committee and they are trying to tackle the problem. Every major sports journalism site, exept ESPN (surprise) has frequently written about this topic. I don’t know why you are arguing.

SEC schools are signing 20+ more players than other schools every four years. That’s basically an extra full class every four years than most schools. If you want to just assume they are losing those players through natural attrition, fee free. This year, Alabama had eight seniors left from a class of 25+. Some went pro early, but not 17 of them! What happened to the rest? That’s almost 70% of the class that are not around for their senior year. That can’t be just coincidence.

Furthermore, if Alabama is working within the rules, why does the University not only refuse to disclose scholarship numbers, but blacks out the scholarship numbers of their annual report?

We’re dealing with 17-19 young men here. I can’t believe that anyone could or would try to justify these unethical, heartless and unfair practices by Alabama as simply the “collateral damage” necessary to win football games. If so, shame on you!

LOL … what can I say? Hiccups

As for the oversigning … you won’t like my answer: I won’t make excuses for it because I don’t have a problem with it. It’s not something Saban is doing on the sly. Oversigning is a common practice among many teams–particularly in the SEC. Steve Spurrier at South Carolina is the oversigning king. And since Saban stays within SEC–and NCAA–rules, I don’t worry about the infractions committee coming to call.

Here’s the thing, Pat: Where would these kids be if they weren’t signed by Bama? Back home going to a JUCO or working at Mickey D’s. The oversigning gives them a shot at the big time that they wouldn’t have otherwise. They wouldn’t have any shot at all. If they do the work and prove themselves to Nick, they’ve got a chance to make the squad on one for one of the biggest programs in NCAA football–a chance that could get them invited to the Combine one day.

If they’re not team material … well, the worst that can happen is they wind up right back where they started … going to a JUCO or working at Mickey D’s. The difference is that Saban knocks some of these kids back and brings them up later … or he helps them get signed with FCS teams. They wind up better off than they ever would have been if they’d just been among the guys who were recruited but not quite good enough.

Say it again, and you might actually believe it.

You left out ONE very important point. He doesn’t care about the young men he brings in to Alabama. Each Div 1 college team is allowed to have a total of 85 recruits. That’s an average of 21 or 22 per season. How, then do you justify the 101 that Saban has brought in in the previous four years? What about greyshirting where he takes away a scholarship he has offered to a player who commits early and gives it to a better player he recruits later – even if that student is an EE who is already attending school? How do you take in kids knowing that, even at Alabama, some of them will not qualify? How do you tell a kid, we are taking your scholarship but you can stay in school if you pay your own way and practice with the team. Then, if you can beat out someone who currently has a scholarship we will offer you one next year – or you can go to a junior college and play now?
And that’s not unique to Alabama, but typical of teams – and coaches – in the S(kip) E(ducation and) C(lasses) ranks. Saban is the best at getting away with this sleezy, immoral activity – but not by much (see Les Miles). It didn’t take TAMU long to figure it out. They already have 36 recruits committed – and still counting.
You’re right, as long as he can continue to outsmart the NCAA. However, they caught up with U$C, Ohio State and Oregon; so its only a matter of time! So much for insight!

First, the pro and college games are separate but equal. Lombardi didn’t need to excel as a college coach to be “the greatest,” nor did Bear Bryant need to excel as a pro coach to be “the greatest.” They were iconic in their individual sports. If Nick Saban chooses to remain in the NCAA and continue his run to greatness, it won’t matter that he never won a Super Bowl.

Second, when he says he’s at peace where he is, it may be because he’s at peace where he is. You know … like you’re at peace as a football commentator in a way you weren’t at peace as a lawyer.

And for those who say an SEC team like Bama practically coaches itself because all those great players want to go there … I’m a Bama fan who went through those 17 years without a title. Nick is a great recruiter, a great motivator, a great game-planner. College teams don’t man and coach themselves anymore than pro teams do. But, ah, thanks for that insight.

Second, when he says he’s at peace where he is, it may be because he’s at peace where he is. You know … like you’re at peace as a football commentator in a way you weren’t at peace as a lawyer.

And for those who say an SEC team like Bama practically coaches itself because all those great players want to go there … I’m a Bama fan who went through those 17 years without a title. Nick is a great recruiter, a great motivator, a great game-planner. College teams don’t man and coach themselves anymore than pro teams do. But … thanks for that insight.

Second, when he says he’s at peace where he is, it may be because he’s at peace where he is. You know … like you’re at peace as a football commentator in a way you weren’t at peace as a lawyer.

And for those who say an SEC team like Bama practically coaches itself because all those great players want to go there … I’m a Bama fan who went through those 17 years without a title. Nick is a great recruiter, a great motivator, a great game-planner. College teams don’t man and coach themselves anymore than pro teams do. But thanks for that insight.

Second, when he says he’s at peace where he is, it may be because he’s at peace where he is. You know … like you’re at peace as a football commentator in a way you weren’t at peace as a lawyer.

And for those who say an SEC team like Bama practically coaches itself because all those great players want to go there … I’m a Bama fan who went through those 17 years without a title. Nick is a great recruiter, a great motivator, a great game-planner. College teams don’t man and coach themselves anymore than pro teams do. But, ah, thanks for that insight.

Second, when he says he’s at peace where he is, it may be because he’s at peace where he is. You know … like you’re at peace as a football commentator in a way you weren’t at peace as a lawyer.

And for those who say an SEC team like Bama practically coaches itself because all those great players want to go there … I’m a Bama fan who went through those 17 years without a title. Nick is a great recruiter, a great motivator, a great game-planner. College teams don’t man and coach themselves anymore than pro teams do. But, ah, thanks for that insight.

—————-

SEC fans want him to stay. They have a creepy Jonestown like cult atmosphere where they actually root for their rivals to win for the glory of the SEC. They chant SEC more than they chant for their own teams.

Michigan fans would root for Ohio State to lose by 100 in the championship because they are rivals. SEC fans get some sort of vicarious thrill from seeing their supposed rivals win. It’s pathetic really.

In the NFL, you’ve got Owners, General Managers, and much more media & fan scrutiny. Win in 3 years or else. You cannot recruit like you can in college as the draft, parity and salary cap make it difficult to run the table every year.

Some guys are just much, much better suited to the College game, as they have unlimited power and 20 year olds that don’t talk back. Bobby Petrino learned this the hard way and bolted after 13 games. Saban after 2 years. He belongs in the NCAA.

he’s a college coach and it’s a whole different ballgame managing millionaires over managing students who are angling for the NFL….. also, he’s already proven he can’t manage professionals….

I pity da foo owner that hires him….

Saban only thrives in the SEC where he can cheat the recruiting rules by oversigning and Bama would admit a ham sandwich if it ran a fast 40.

Top WR recruit Robert Foster from Pittsburgh area just surprisingly picked Bama over Pitt. His mother said it was because Pitt told him his grades weren’t good enough and he’d have to do a year of prep school. Bama said, no problem, welcome aboard son, we’ll get you eligible.

Then there are the kids on the roster who are about to have their scholarships pulled and given to new recruits.

If a Big Ten school signs a kid and he’s not as good as hey thought, they’re stick with him for 4 years. Not in the SEC. In the SEC they will pull that kid’s scholarship and give it to a new recruit. The kid could have excellent grades and be a pretty good player, but if he’s not a star, he’s gone.

Saban knows he can’t win without this advantage.

That could be the Detroit Lions next year.

Cleo Lemon started one game for Saban, the last game Saban coached for Miami, at Indy.

A picture of Saban with a smile on his face?

Somebody must have photoshopped this.