Having been raised in the state of Alabama and been a dedicated, Bama fan for four decades (since age six), I always knew Tide fans cared and were more knowledgeable about college football than the average fan base...I also realized that (per capita) Bama fans cared more about their team in general and followed individual players more closely, than almost any other place on the planet.
I think, being Bama fans, we just take it for granted that the average, red-blooded (southern) American male (or decent female) at minimum, has a favorite college football team and follows them with somewhat more than a passing interest. In short, because we all live and breath college (specifically SEC) football, we just assume everybody else is of a like mind.
Because of this unusual dedication and extreme interest in their college football team, Bama fans are habitually depicted (by the national media) as being rabid, overly-demanding, crazy, insane and any other number of generally derisive terms. The national media knows that if you bash Bama, your email box will bombarded and if they ask for an online vote regarding anything that involves Alabama or one of its players, the Tide faithful will flood the ballot box (to an often astounding extreme) in support of its team and/or player(s).
Experts often say that the first step in the healing process is realizing that you have a problem. However, among Alabama fans, an over-zealous and arguably extreme attachment to Crimson Tide football is so typical and common that the idea that someone might be a "luke warm" Alabama fan is almost beyond comprehension. In short, Bama fans get it, love it and have no problem whatsoever is letting the rest of the free world know about it.
Nick Saban fell in love with SEC football when he took his MSU team down to Shreveport to play LSU. He has mentioned in interviews that the passion of the fans really made an impression on him and he wanted to be in a place where college football was taken so seriously and loved with such ferocity. I have no doubt this exposure to SEC football (along with $1.4 MM salary offer) is why Nick Saban ended up at LSU. Saban knew that he loved coaching in a "college football crazy" environment, it wouldn't be hard to sell top recruits on the idea of being a part of that experience.
When he came back to the college ranks to take the job at Alabama, I have no doubt that Saban knew he was coming to a place where college football was king. However, as much can be said about almost any SEC campus. I think the real deciding factor was when Saban spoke to Coach Stallings and was informed that the fan support at Alabama was unlike anything he ever experienced or imagined...that it was something that was incrediby unique and special and whose true value (with respect to recruiting) had never been really tapped. Of course, this was confirmed at last season's A-Day game when Bama fans stood the college football world on its ear by bringing 92,000 fans (in attendance) and 6000 outside.
The point of this (rather lengthy) rant is that I think the smart, sophisticated and driven Saban, always looking for an edge, quickly realized that no other coach before him had fully utilized the unique value of the "rabid" Bama fan base as a recruiting tool. Everybody wants to be loved, think what they are doing is importent and to be appreciated and recognized for doing it. Players play, get hit, get hurt and often slave away in the off-season trying to get better and perfect their skills...Saban realized that kids are more willing to make those sort of sacrifices at a place where their efforts are truly appreciated and understood by the average fan.
In 40 years of being an Alabama fan, I can probably count on one hand the number of prospects or recruits who mentioned the fans as a reason why they chose to attend the capstone and bring their talents to Tuscaloosa. Nowdays, it seems almost every recruit mentions the fan base as a contributing factor in his decision to sign. Considering the evidence, there can be only one explanation: Nick Saban is pitching the Bama fan base as a major reason why top prospects should consider coming to play for him.
I think the crazy, overly-interested and totally dedicated fan base represents Nick's secret weapon on the recruiting trail. He has given hints about how important it is, but I think once fans fully realize that they can play an importent part in the team's recruiting success, we'll see even more turn-out. Thoughts?
I think, being Bama fans, we just take it for granted that the average, red-blooded (southern) American male (or decent female) at minimum, has a favorite college football team and follows them with somewhat more than a passing interest. In short, because we all live and breath college (specifically SEC) football, we just assume everybody else is of a like mind.
Because of this unusual dedication and extreme interest in their college football team, Bama fans are habitually depicted (by the national media) as being rabid, overly-demanding, crazy, insane and any other number of generally derisive terms. The national media knows that if you bash Bama, your email box will bombarded and if they ask for an online vote regarding anything that involves Alabama or one of its players, the Tide faithful will flood the ballot box (to an often astounding extreme) in support of its team and/or player(s).
Experts often say that the first step in the healing process is realizing that you have a problem. However, among Alabama fans, an over-zealous and arguably extreme attachment to Crimson Tide football is so typical and common that the idea that someone might be a "luke warm" Alabama fan is almost beyond comprehension. In short, Bama fans get it, love it and have no problem whatsoever is letting the rest of the free world know about it.
Nick Saban fell in love with SEC football when he took his MSU team down to Shreveport to play LSU. He has mentioned in interviews that the passion of the fans really made an impression on him and he wanted to be in a place where college football was taken so seriously and loved with such ferocity. I have no doubt this exposure to SEC football (along with $1.4 MM salary offer) is why Nick Saban ended up at LSU. Saban knew that he loved coaching in a "college football crazy" environment, it wouldn't be hard to sell top recruits on the idea of being a part of that experience.
When he came back to the college ranks to take the job at Alabama, I have no doubt that Saban knew he was coming to a place where college football was king. However, as much can be said about almost any SEC campus. I think the real deciding factor was when Saban spoke to Coach Stallings and was informed that the fan support at Alabama was unlike anything he ever experienced or imagined...that it was something that was incrediby unique and special and whose true value (with respect to recruiting) had never been really tapped. Of course, this was confirmed at last season's A-Day game when Bama fans stood the college football world on its ear by bringing 92,000 fans (in attendance) and 6000 outside.
The point of this (rather lengthy) rant is that I think the smart, sophisticated and driven Saban, always looking for an edge, quickly realized that no other coach before him had fully utilized the unique value of the "rabid" Bama fan base as a recruiting tool. Everybody wants to be loved, think what they are doing is importent and to be appreciated and recognized for doing it. Players play, get hit, get hurt and often slave away in the off-season trying to get better and perfect their skills...Saban realized that kids are more willing to make those sort of sacrifices at a place where their efforts are truly appreciated and understood by the average fan.
In 40 years of being an Alabama fan, I can probably count on one hand the number of prospects or recruits who mentioned the fans as a reason why they chose to attend the capstone and bring their talents to Tuscaloosa. Nowdays, it seems almost every recruit mentions the fan base as a contributing factor in his decision to sign. Considering the evidence, there can be only one explanation: Nick Saban is pitching the Bama fan base as a major reason why top prospects should consider coming to play for him.
I think the crazy, overly-interested and totally dedicated fan base represents Nick's secret weapon on the recruiting trail. He has given hints about how important it is, but I think once fans fully realize that they can play an importent part in the team's recruiting success, we'll see even more turn-out. Thoughts?