Saban's Assistants to be highest paid in SEC as well.

My bad. I assumed an LSU fan would know how to spell the name of the coach...but then again, I couldn't begin to count the times I've seen Dave Rader called Radar.

Your *odds* comment is based on...?

 

I'm always puzzled why people think Saban will be everything Bama expects including winning an NC. I think he will fail only because of all that is stacked against him. If he can overcome all the recruiting challenges he faces, the increased negativity about him which effects recruiting, the increased competition of the SEC, his own character flaws which cause the media to pounce on him with negative aritcles, then I will be the first to say "Great Job"

I just think it's too much to over come with all the luck that is involved in making it to the BCS championship game. He had it much, much eaiser at LSU when he was here. Only time will tell and I will have renewed respect for him if he can pull it off. Who would'nt?

 

I don't know if he will fail, but I don't expect him to have the success he had at LSU where he had a monopoly on in-state recruiting. I suspect very strongly that he deeply regrets leaving Tiger Town. I am sure he realizes what he had here.

 

I've seen that theory out there many times. The only problem with it, as I see it, is if you look over the Championship teams at Bama you won't find it's just Alabama guys.

Add to that, while Auburn has traditionally taken a few top prospects from the state, their recruiting base hasn't been centered in-state alone either.

I'm sure he understands what he has had in every place he has coached. Some, just weren't what I would call his "fit."

Time will tell...

 

Dietzel went to South Carolina when he left, didn't he? I've heard that position called a graveyard for head coaches more than once.

If memory serves, they have only won one championship there, that one a conference championship in the ole' Southern Conference. 1967 maybe?

 

Good comments. Yes, Saban has said in so many words he made a mistake by leaving LSU and going to Miami. Saban had great success in almost everything he touched. He loved loved LSU, Baton Rouge and it's fans. He would still be at Miami had he not been guaranteed 32 million. Who would not take a deal like that? Win/Win for Saban, Maybe Win/Lose for Bama. Saban keeps saying how he wanted back in college ball but it's kinda funny he wouldn't take 2 million a year to come back but only a guranteed 32 million to return. If it does not work out he will be gone and Bama can go spend 32 million or more on the next big name guy. It's amazing what Bama will spend to win again. I'm glad to see how LSU approached its search for CLM. They got another up and coming coach who is doing a great job continuing the success that Saban was able to build. Timing is everything and LSU has made 2 terrific hires back to back.

 

Did we spend a lot of money to get him? Yes. That's not a big deal. Not a single penny is coming from the educational side of the University. Not a single penny is coming from the tax payers in the state. It's all from the athletic department.


However, the way you've described the contract isn't correct.

If he stays 8 years you have the right figure. Now, the way this breaks down with his salary and personal services fees he'll receive 3.275 million this year. (What's Weiss making? He's on a 10 year, 40 million dollar contract. That's what has been reported but it isn't really verifiable because private institutions don't have to release their records publically) The last three years of his contract he'll be receiving 3.975 his last three years. There are also incentives built in to the contract, both academic and on the field, that could add another $650,000 per year.

There is no "guaranteed contract" of 32 million. If he leaves, he doesn't get paid.

Continually ignored, or at least it seems to be, is he took a pay cut when changing jobs.

There is no buyout and his contract states that he only has to make 15 appearances per year in football related activities. (booster clubs, etc.)

Do you think we stepped overboard giving his family a skybox, 12 tickets to each game, 2 auto's and a country club membership? :yelwink2:

 

Yes, Dietzel left for Army, where he had been an assistant under Red Blake, I believe. I was only 8 when Dietzel left, but my Dad's comment was that he hated to see Dietzel leave, he was very popular, had a sparkling personality (Pepsodent Paul). He could recruit, and he could motivate. He was not renowned as an X's O's guy, but he had Charlie McClendon handling the defense, and I think Bill Peterson handling the offense (Peterson went to the KC Chiefs for a long time after that, if memory serves), and both were very good coordinators.

But when Dietzel got to Army, he couldn't do what he did best, recruit. He left there for S. Carolina, and was never a figure in top coaching jobs again. From a head coaching perspective, he made a mistake. On a personal level, Whenever I hear about him, a snip here and there, he is still with his wife, they are financially taken care of, and he seems happy and fulfilled with his life, and I think he has a warm spot for LSU still.

 

Thank you. I should have taken the time to look at Wikipedia this morning...just didn't. He left Army and his next stop was at South Carolina.

I had also forgotten he coached with Coach Bryant during his days at UK.