Tide Faithful Goes Nuts Over Saban's Arrival
by Glynn Wilson
TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Jan. 4 - Some of the most serious football fans on the planet flocked to T-Town in droves Wednesday night in preparation for a pep rally-style welcome for former Miami Dolphins and winning LSU football coach Nick Saban on Thursday morning.
Popular college night spots on "the strip" were buzzing with the news of Saban's arrival, even though the University of Alabama was about like a ghost town with students off for the holidays.
Nick Saban landed to chants of "Roll Tide," then stepped off a private jet and made the long trek across the tarmac to greet throngs of screaming Alabama fans, according to the Associated Press.
From there, Saban headed down University Boulevard with a police escort, including a helicopter, prompting some observers to compare his arrival to a visit from the president or the pope.
Ashley Hill, manager of the hipster hangout Egan's and a bartender in Tuscaloosa since 1992, the last year Alabama won a national championship, said the hiring of Saban likely saved Athletic Director Mal Moore's job and in some ways the reputation of the university itself.
 | Photo by Glynn Wilson |
| Nick Saban may have been thinking about that empty spot on the University of Alabama's "walk of fame" when he decided to bolt Miami Wednesday for Tuscaloosa. |
Many long-time Alabama fans and alumni thought the handling of coach Mike Shula's firing after the loss to Auburn - and other decisions by the university administration like the decision to explode the student population to 28,000 - signaled a downward spiral in an otherwise storied collegiate tradition.
But now with the catch of Saban, a proven winner in the Southeastern Conference with a national title at LSU, could save the day - even if it did cost the university a reported $32 million over eight years, reportedly the most lucrative coaching contract in college football.
"Mal knew what he wanted, went after it and stuck with it," Hill said. "You have to admire him for that."
Saban will be criticized for jumping at the money, even though Miami owner Wayne Huizenga said in a press conference Wednesday morning it was not about the money.
"Saban's a college guy," Hill said. "It's great he's here."
Some fans and analysts will try to say Saban has some big shoes to fill in the home of the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant.
But it's not that, Hill said. "Alabama is used to winning. Saban's a proven winner."
The Tuscaloosa News put out a special edition trumpeting the hiring, with the blaring headline: "SABAN TIME."
ESPN put out a column calling Saban a liar, but Hill said Saban was "just being a man" and trying to wait until the season was over before discussing a move.