Got a chuckle out of the revisionist history being spun by 'Dandy Don' in a post of his today...
Sounds like Saban just walked into a pre-ordained gold mine. Sounds like Saban did little more to build that program than any other coached LSU could have hired at that time.
Being 'thankful' for something is not the same thing as being 'appreciable' for the very same thing - or the effort and work it took to make the thing happen.
Compare the treatment the Florida fans have for their coaching hero (Spurrier) where that hero now coaches a intra-division rival to how the LSU fans treat Saban.
Florida fans were hurt when Spurrier left for the NFL and disappointed when he returned to the SEC, and the same Eastern Division as UF. But, we/they still love Spurrier, are thankful for what he accomplished, and deeply appreciate everything he did to at long last allow us to realize our potential. When we play USCjr and Spurrier, we want to win the game for our sake, but still hold no anger or animosity toward Spurrier.
LSU fans were hurt when Saban left for the NFL but express vehement hatred and anger now that he has returned to the SEC, and the same Western Division as their team. They may be 'thankful' for what Saban accomplished, but they are not appreciative of the achievements they enjoyed under his guidance. I really believe they want Saban to 'lose' this game more than they want their team to 'win.'
I wonder, way back in the mid-1970s, if Coach Bryant had stayed with the Dolphins for two years and then returned to coach Georgia or Tennessee or Auburn if we would have treated him more like Florida does Spurrier or how LSU does Saban?
So now Saban was merely lucky to have inherited a bunch of good players from the prior coach (DiNardo was it not?) and his recruiting success was achieved by merely arriving at LSU at a time when a large number of highly regarded players just happened to live in areas of the state historically 'good hunting ground' for LSU.Good morning, Tiger fans. Monday was a huge day for email but I did not receive as many negative emails about Nick Saban as I expected. I think that most Tiger fans are thankful for Nick Saban's part in turning the LSU football program around. Saban did inherit a great group of players when he took the LSU job and was able to enjoy three great back to back recruiting classes thanks to a large number of highly recruited players in the state of Louisiana, especially in areas of the state that have always been good hunting ground for LSU. I received several emails from readers asking me to ask LSU fans to cheer Nick Saban when his team comes on the field. I believe in being nice, but not that nice
(emphasis added)
Sounds like Saban just walked into a pre-ordained gold mine. Sounds like Saban did little more to build that program than any other coached LSU could have hired at that time.
Being 'thankful' for something is not the same thing as being 'appreciable' for the very same thing - or the effort and work it took to make the thing happen.
Compare the treatment the Florida fans have for their coaching hero (Spurrier) where that hero now coaches a intra-division rival to how the LSU fans treat Saban.
Florida fans were hurt when Spurrier left for the NFL and disappointed when he returned to the SEC, and the same Eastern Division as UF. But, we/they still love Spurrier, are thankful for what he accomplished, and deeply appreciate everything he did to at long last allow us to realize our potential. When we play USCjr and Spurrier, we want to win the game for our sake, but still hold no anger or animosity toward Spurrier.
LSU fans were hurt when Saban left for the NFL but express vehement hatred and anger now that he has returned to the SEC, and the same Western Division as their team. They may be 'thankful' for what Saban accomplished, but they are not appreciative of the achievements they enjoyed under his guidance. I really believe they want Saban to 'lose' this game more than they want their team to 'win.'
I wonder, way back in the mid-1970s, if Coach Bryant had stayed with the Dolphins for two years and then returned to coach Georgia or Tennessee or Auburn if we would have treated him more like Florida does Spurrier or how LSU does Saban?
