Whatever decision Saban makes in the upcoming days, I think it's safe to say that we've learned a lot from this. I know I've learned that I don't want to go through this whole ordeal any more than I have to, and I bet that the majority of you out there feel the same. So, like I said, whether or not Saban decides to stay or go, I think it's pretty safe to say that whenever Saban's time at LSU is over (hopefully it's later rather than sooner), the higher ups should look at this as a lesson learned when searching for a new coach. Do we want to run the risk of going through this over and over? Trying to refrain from having "LSU blinders" on too thick, I feel it safe to say that we have one of the more attractive programs in all of college football. Having read multiple articles about our fascilities and program (the article from the Houston paper, listing LSU as one of the most intreging and attractive jobs, comes to mind), I'm under the impression that any top-tier coach can succeed here. (and I say that attempting not to take away anything from what Saban means to this program or his accomplishments). So, do we want a young coach that's on the upside, but has no current NFL experience, only to be put here, succeed and then have the NFL breath down our necks again? Or do we prefer to have a proven college winner with some NFL experience ,but not much success? Tedford, Petrino and a few others that have already been mentioned on this forum would all be excellent picks, but what happens when they succeed? Will the NFL leave them alone? Will we be any better off than the position we're in now? IMO, coaches like Butch Davis and Spurrier, for all their faults on the pro level, have proved to be 2 of college football's most successful coaches, who have also tried their luck in the pros only to fall short. Does that mean they aren't qualified? Heck no. It's obvious that the college game is different than the pro game. Spurrier and Butch can attest to that. So hiring one of those two coaches appears to be a safe bet because I seriously doubt NFL teams will be beating down their doors any time soon--if ever. It's ironic to say this, given that I'm referring to them as "NFL failures", yet I would certainly interested in seeing them become the next coach here should Saban decide to leave. Once this current mess we find ourselves is all over, I look for the head coach at LSU (be it Saban or someoen else) be 100% committed to our program. I think after what we've all gone through, our head coach owes us at least that much.
We hire someone based on one thing and one thing only, and that is the admins opinion of how succesful they will be at LSU in terms of winning, keeping the program heading in the same direction as it is now with regard to players, academics, character, etc. If they hire a coach whi has not been successful just becuase of a ear of the NFL we will go down the toilet again. I'd much rather compete for National Championships and win SEC Titles and have to replace a coach every 5 years rather than accept a coach who may not be capable of taking us that far. Look at Miami, 3 straight coaches won National Championships. Do you think they thought about that when they hired JJ to follow Howard, or Erickson when followed JJ. I doubt it.
