Alabama went just 67-55 in the decade before Nick Saban came to Tuscaloosa and turned the Tide into the winningest machine in college football. It was just 39-41 in SEC play, including three 2-6 seasons. There were losses to Northern Illinois, Southern Miss and Central Florida.
There were still moments for Bear Bryant’s old program — namely a couple of 10-2 seasons. That was about it, though. Dennis Franchione put together one of them and then promptly bailed for Texas A&M.
Those years were known for political infighting, power plays and NCAA probations. As often as not, Alabama couldn’t get out of its own way. Florida and Tennessee were the cool, consistent programs. Auburn beat them six consecutive times in the Iron Bowl.
At various points, coaches turned down Alabama so they could stay at South Carolina and West Virginia. The Tide lost one hire to a drunken night at a Gentlemen’s Club that included a $1,000 room service charge and a $20 million libel suit against Sports Illustrated.
Tuscaloosa was a houndstooth-clad punchline, just one national title since the 1970s.
The potential was clearly always there for Alabama, it just needed the right guy to control it first, and unlock it second.
Saban was that person. Seventeen seasons and six national titles later, he is now retired though.
Alabama is set to hire Kalen DeBoer from Washington, and there is no denying the man’s coaching credentials. Fresh off leading the Huskies to the national championship game, the 49-year-old is 104-12 in his nine seasons as a head coach, including stints at Fresno State and NAIA Sioux Falls, where he won three national titles.
If this is about leading a team, then DeBoer will be great. Modern, major college football isn’t just about that, however.
And it begs the question of whether Alabama is built to be the Alabama of Nick…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/will-crimson-tide-keep-thriving-under-kalen-deboer-or-recede-back-into-pre-nick-saban-abyss-224337208.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-01-12 22:43:37
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