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REACTION: Nick Saban “happy” to offer four-year football scholarships

7:52 am March 1, 2012, by Michael Carvell

Nick Saban has two BCS titles at Bama (AP)

Nick Saban has two BCS titles at Bama (AP)

Nick Saban created a national stir in recruiting circles this week when he said Alabama was going to offer four-year football scholarships, adding “and we’re happy to do it.”

Nick Saban created a national stir this week when he said Alabama was going to offer four-year football scholarships, adding “and we’re happy to do it.”
You can read the story by TideSports.com’s Cecil Hurt by clicking here.
Here was some of the serious and funny reaction to Saban’s public declaration from the Twitterverse and around the Internet:
Oversigning.com on Twitter: “The bottom line is that Saban was against the 4-year scholarships and is only giving them out because he has to in order to not lose recruits.”
AJC’s Jeff Schultz on Twitter: “Nick Saban guaranteeing four-year scholarships means only 1 thing: He’ll be back in the NFL in 2 years.”
AuburnSports.com’s Justin Hokanson on Twitter: “Nick Saban now to offer four-year schollies. Days after ‘Bama commit visits [Auburn], says he prefers [Auburn] philosophy of giving four-year schollies.”
MrSEC.com’s John Pennington: “Other coaches have been outspoken against the multi-year scholarship idea.  Tennessee’s Derek Dooley voiced concerns last week.  South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier called the idea a bad one last year at SEC Media Days.  Overall, four schools — Alabama, LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M — voted to override the multi-year scholarship rule but they were ultimately voted down … Now those coaches and schools will have to offer four-year deals or else fall behind in recruiting to schools that do offer such pacts.  So whether Saban, Dooley, Spurrier and others really like the rule or not… they’ll all soon be buying in and abiding by it.  Saban’s just the first to say so.”
EveryDayShouldBeSaturday.com on Twitter: “Nick Saban never said he wasn’t counting those four year scholarships in dog years. #genius #ROLLTIDE”Nick Saban created a national stir this week when he said Alabama was going to offer four-year football scholarships, adding “and we’re happy to do it.”

You can read the story by TideSports.com’s Cecil Hurt by clicking here.

Saban also said that “We don’t cut players. I don’t know anyone who does. So I don’t think that’s an issue … The player will still have to be academically eligible. He will still have to obey team rules and regulations. And the player is still going to have the same rights and the same appeals process that he has now.”

Here was some of the reaction (some serious, some funny) to Saban’s public declaration from the Twitterverse and around the Internet:

  • Oversigning.com on Twitter: “The bottom line is that Saban was against the 4-year scholarships and is only giving them out because he has to in order to not lose recruits.”
  • AJC’s Jeff Schultz on Twitter: “Nick Saban guaranteeing four-year scholarships means only 1 thing: He’ll be back in the NFL in 2 years.”
  • AuburnSports.com’s Justin Hokanson on Twitter: “Nick Saban now to offer four-year schollies. Days after ‘Bama commit visits [Auburn], says he prefers [Auburn] philosophy of giving four-year schollies.”
  • MrSEC.com’s John Pennington: “Other coaches have been outspoken against the multi-year scholarship idea.  Tennessee’s Derek Dooley voiced concerns last week.  South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier called the idea a bad one last year at SEC Media Days.  Overall, four schools — Alabama, LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M — voted to override the multi-year scholarship rule but they were ultimately voted down … Now those coaches and schools will have to offer four-year deals or else fall behind in recruiting to schools that do offer such pacts.  So whether Saban, Dooley, Spurrier and others really like the rule or not… they’ll all soon be buying in and abiding by it.  Saban’s just the first to say so.”
  • CBSSports.com’s Jerry Hinnen: “Saban is entirely correct that just because School X has committed its four-year promise in writing doesn’t mean Player Y is going to be able to skate through four years of school without worrying about the consequences. (He’s also right that this could conceivably lead to some legal appeals here and there.) But given the ease with which schools have dismissed players on one-year scholarships in the past — it’s surprising to hear Saban say he “doesn’t know anyone” who cuts players, given that SEC West rival Bobby Petrino declined to renew the scholarships of five different players just last year — we disagree that nothing has changed.”
  • CapstoneReport.com: “There is a long list of rules and plans to unseat Nick Saban as the king of college football recruiting. Have any of those plans slowed Saban down? Remember the Saban Rule? He just used technology to get more face time with recruits. The sad thing is that a four-year scholarship won’t hurt established programs like Alabama. This four-year plan will harm teams with the greatest need to do roster management, ie: teams not named Alabama and LSU … These plans only serve to make coaches like Nick Saban more valuable. Saban is his own brand with enormous name recognition among recruits. Recruits know that Saban is a path to the NFL—for confirmation just look at the NFL draft. Saban has stockpiled some of the best talent in the nation and separated himself by winning three BCS crowns. He works harder, and more importantly, smarter than his rivals.”
  • EveryDayShouldBeSaturday.com on Twitter: “Nick Saban never said he wasn’t counting those four year scholarships in dog years. #genius #ROLLTIDE”

Now it’s YOUR TURN: What’s your reaction to Saban’s announcement? Please post below.

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– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog

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290 comments Add your comment

Newt Romney

March 2nd, 2012
1:03 am

@ Andy

Do a quick internet search and you’ll see articles from ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Tuscaloosa News, a host of Bama blogs, etc….detailing Justin Taylor’s commitment to Bama back in February of last year. You clearly don’t follow your own school’s recruiting. LOL.

Score Check

March 2nd, 2012
1:17 am

Coach Sick Satan = Scum

Tweak your knee and he leaves you twisting in the wind

Newt Romney

March 2nd, 2012
1:36 am

@ Score Check

That pretty well sums it up. LOL

poochkiller

March 2nd, 2012
8:59 am

It’s lonely at the top — if Uga or GT was winning championships, they would be under the microscope as well.

Don’t Hate !!

Roll Tide

March 2nd, 2012
9:07 am

Just the usual bama bashing from this particular columnist. Is there any end to the Alabama envy? Is there?

PM

March 2nd, 2012
9:09 am

There will be a way around the 4 year scholarship, and Saban will find it.

No one gives two craps about the “student-athlete” they only care about the athlete.

College Football is a religion that worships coaches for finding a way to get 18 year old stud athletes to win them glory and crystal footballs

That Was fun

March 2nd, 2012
10:34 am

I learned a lot today. CFB football fans hate Alabama more than they love their respective teams. I learned that UGA fans want to be relevant so bad that they will resort to hypocrisy, name calling, and false accusations to defend their program. Lastly, I learned that to UGA fans, putting on a nice smile and losing is better than being real and winning. Look guys, there is a reason no one watches girls sports. They suck because they want everything to be fair. Football isn’t fair, nor is it nice. People get told they can’t play. They find out that they aren’t as good as they thought. It suck, but that is football. That is why we are all here instead of on the field, because we found out that we couldn’t play. Call Saban what you want. He wins and that is why we love him. He was hired to win games and he does. He has been interviewed by ESPN, many are on youtube, saying that scholarships are 1 year deals and the best player will play. He said he will use greyshirts and give hardships for guys that he feels won’t make the field after an injury. If you can’t respect that then there is nothing I can say to you. I do keep up with ALL our player that leave. No one has left, aside from the few very bad discipline problems, that didn’t get a scholarship somewhere else. Their educations were taken care of. They weren’t fit to play at Alabama, but still got a quality education. This is football guys. I have never seen a fan buy a DVD of a game their team lost. Get real. One last note before I leave. Nick Saban sat 5 starters in the Sugar Bowl against Utah that we lost. They were benched for breaking team rules. You name another coach that would do that.

The Bear

March 2nd, 2012
11:44 am

@Newt Romney it’s a breath of fresh air that someone actually took the time to do some research on a subject. Mr. Andy is mistaken Justin Taylor was an Alabama commitment and got injured. After evaluation by the medical and coaching staff at Alabama it was determined that he and the University of Alabama would be better suited if Justin took a grey shirt status and delay his enrollment. The college scholarship was never pulled and was still on the table when Justin signed with the University of Kentucky. Like it or not it is the Nick Saban’s job at Alabama to evaluate the talent coming to Alabama and get the most return on the recruits that he has available. That being said Nick Saban is tasked with weeding out recruits if they are not healthy, grade problems, character problems, and legal issues etc. Justin was not going to be able to contribute right away so the grey shirt was offered. It is very unfortunate what happened to Justin and he made the right decision that was best for him. Rest assured Bama is “NOT” the only school doing this. I know this will shock a lot of folks on here because they only see what is on their biased agenda.

Newt good presentations wish more were like you!

Oh Yea ROLL TIDE!

Flo-Ri-Duh

March 2nd, 2012
11:54 am

Nick Saban “happy to offer 4 year scholarships”. And that’s another lie. Also, have to disagree but Taylor’s scholarship for the YEAR promised was pulled. Instead he was offered a scholarship for the next year. Again, as I said before, what Saban did is within the current rules, but is wrong. Saban accepted Taylor’s commitment and only told him three weeks before signing day that he would not honor his agreement.

The Bear

March 2nd, 2012
11:58 am

@PM you are partially correct. There is one big difference about your scholarship definition; one is called an “Athletic” Scholarship and the other is called an “Academic” Scholarship. I would go into an explanation but looks like you understand fully. Welcome to the real world of college football and life!

Enjoy the ride. RTR

harold

March 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm

SABAN IS GOD LIKE NOW. HE IS A CHAMPIONSHIP COACH AT A CHAMPIONSHIP SCHOOL. ALABAMA IS LIKE AN NFL TEAM NOW.

UGA IS NOWHERE NEAR BAMA. RICHT IS NOWHERE NEAR SABAN!

what else would he say?

March 2nd, 2012
2:35 pm

Of course he’s going to offer 4 years….Everyone will by next year….the only big news in the story is that saban said he doesn’t cut players..?! Is this guy Pinnochio or what? Roster management requires cutting and wasn’t it said that he was near top at roster management?
He’s also great at cutting players after they commit and right before they sign.

lol schultz

March 2nd, 2012
2:37 pm

Jeff Schultz had it half right…He’ll be gone in 2 years, but the NFL ain’t taking him back. Those bridges have been long burned.

Bama Fan

March 2nd, 2012
2:50 pm

You Dawg fans are just too funny. “Saban is a liar” yada yada yada. He’s a coach, and he goes with whatever works at the time – this issue being 4 yr scholarships. If his position has changed, so what? You sound like tired old records, stuck in place.

Saban is a straight shooter. He may not be the most approachable coach, by media especially, but he outworks his rivals, demands the most from his staff and players, and wins as a result.

The AJC is a joke – “journalistic objectivity” at it’s worst. Saban and Alabama envy.

By the way, next time Bama and UGA meet, try that blackout thing again. I enjoyed that. :)

Newt Romney

March 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm

@ The Bear

Thanks. I already knew about Taylor’s situation, but since Andy was uninformed and/or too lazy to look anything up, I decided to do it for him.

As for your post, the only thing I would say is that the way Saban goes about it is often not the most honest or ethical. Saban expects kids who commit to him to honor their commitment yet he has no problem bailing on his end of the deal if the high school player gets hurt or if he can get a better player. That rubs a lot of people the wrong way because it’s not ethical. If he had told Taylor from the start that he would grayshirt, that’s one thing. He didn’t. He offered Taylor a scholarship and Taylor accepted over a year ago. Honest, ethical coaches stand by their commitment, even if the player is injured after making their commitment, just as they ask the high school prospects to stand by theirs.

I don’t think any knowledgeable person believes Saban is the only coach who does this type of thing. However, it’s evident that most Bama fans refuse to accept the fact that their coach is one who does it. That Bama fans can’t acknowledge Saban doing this and can’t understand why the vast majority of folks view it as less than honest and less than ethical is what irks some. The blind homerism they exhibit on this issue is staggeringly ridiculous to many, myself included. Nobody is saying Saban isn’t an elite Xs & O’s coach or anything like that. They’re pointing out one fault with the way he goes about his business. It doesn’t make a Bama fan any less of a Bama fan if they were to criticize one aspect of how their coach does things. Some don’t seem to get that.

Saban Worshipper

March 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm

Why don’t we try to run a clean program? The NCAA has hit Bama with sanctions 3 times in the last 20 years. Bama is on probation until June. Why don’t we try NOT CHEATING for once?

Saban Worshipper

March 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm

Why does the AJC insist upon reporting facts? I don’t like hearing any negative information about my Crimson Tide. I stick to reading Bama centric fan sites like the Capstone Report. They sanitize the news to make sure everything is kept positive. Those sites don’t take an objective approach to journalism. They view everything through crimson colored glasses and their coverage gives all Bama fans a nice warm and fuzzy feeling 24/7/365. All media outlets other than Bama fan sites don’t know what they’re talking about.

Saban Worshipper

March 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm

If it ain’t the Bama PR Department’s take on things, we don’t want to hear it.

The Bear

March 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm

@Saban Worshipper……….who helped you write that? Lakedog/Slydog/Corndog/Slawdog…. never seen a spin like that before! Get some new material. You should be rejoicing with the other UGA faithful for the upcoming VID day! They need all the help they can get over there, seems more like a Bama blog.

Can’t you Dogs do anything right?

Saban Worshipper

March 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm

@The Bear

A Bama fan telling anyone to get some new material and that my comment is “spin” is one of the funniest things I’ve heard in a long time. Are you a comedy writer or just a member of the Crimson Tide PR staff?

Flo-Ri-Duh

March 2nd, 2012
6:25 pm

Saban’s so happy about offering 4 year scholarships that he voted against them. If his mouth is moving he is ___________.

Desperate in Georgia

March 2nd, 2012
7:37 pm

Carvill – enough with the Coach Saban obsession. Everyday having to read Dawg fans who are desperate to make Richt look like a better coach than Saban. It’s good comedy. Dawg fans had the same desperation when Coach Fulmer, Coach Spurrier, Coach Miles and Coach Meyer were kicking UGA and Richt’s ass. But the desperation with Coach Saban has reached epic proportions with the Tide taking any top Georgia recruit they want.

Another Blackout in Athens?

March 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm

Pennsylvania WR ecstatic to get Bama offer

Robert Foster has offers from schools all around the country. But a recent offer from Alabama head coach Nick Saban was special to the 6-3, 185-pound wide receiver/athlete from Monaca-Central Valley, PA.

“Robert was ecstatic to get the offer,” says Central Valley head coach Matt Lyons. “He was impressed and amazed that he just finished talking to Coach Saban.”

Foster has other offers from Florida, FSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State, among others.

“He obviously has a lot of offers on the table and he’s not said anything about staying close to home,” Lyons says. “Alabama is a school that is highly thought of by him because of it’s success. Alabama definitely has his interest. The door is open that he might visit there, but nothing is planned so far.”

“He’s keeping all options open,” Lyons says. “He’s going to take his time looking at every school.”

Last season, Foster had 36 carries for 419 yards and two touchdowns, and he had 37 catches for 584 yards and five more touchdowns. At safety, he had 57 tackles and four interceptions.

“I’d say he will be a wide receiver without question,” Lyons says. “He has the ability to stretch the defense. He has real good height. He’s got good vertical. He can go up.”

Another Blackout in Athens?

March 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm

Tide staff sold on California DL

The Alabama coaches are looking for talent in all corners of the country. At Placer HS in Auburn, California, they found junior Eddie Vanderdoes, a 6-4, 285-pound, star defensive lineman. They didn’t take long to offer him a scholarship.

“I’ve only been talking to Alabama for about a week-and-a-half,” Vanderdoes says. “Coach Nuss hit me up on Facebook. He said the D-line coach liked me and said Coach Saban liked me, too. He said he wanted to set up a time for me to talk to Coach Saban.”

That conversation took place on Monday.

“I talked to Coach Nuss for a little bit and he put me on the phone with Coach Saban,” Vanderdoes says. “He talked about the program, majors and how he turns his players into men and teaches them accountability.

“He said they are really going after D-linemen hard. He said it’s hard to find big, athletic guys like me nowadays. He likes my motor and really wants me to play for Alabama. I asked him where he wanted me to play and he asked me where I wanted to play. I told him D-end, the three-, five- and seven-technique.

“It was exciting getting an offer from Coach Saban. He’s had a successful career and is one the faces of the college football.

“It’s a huge offer, and I can definitely see myself playing for the Crimson Tide. It’s a huge part of my interest. I love the way they play football and the defensive scheme that they run. I would love to visit there in the near future.”

Vanderdoes also likes Oregon.

“I’ve talked to their D-line coach a few times. He came to the school a few times. I like their approach and their defense. It really fits what I do in high school, because I play all over the line.

“I love Coach Kelly’s approach. He seems like a guy that doesn’t blow smoke up your butt. He’s an offensive genius.

“I like the way they recruit, too. They won’t throw offers around to just anyone. I’ve heard a lot about the campus. It’s a great program and one that I’m strongly considering.”

In addition to Alabama, Vanderdoes has offers from Boise State, California, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State and Washington, among others

The Bear

March 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm

@Flo-Ri-Duh be proud of your school which is UGA! Quit hiding! Your new name could be Proud Dog

Jim S

March 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm

Any player that actually trusts Saban is an IDIOT! Remember, only ONE IN A HUNDRED players make it to the Pros and the college education in a good field is what these players SHOULD be looking for, It’s too uncetain with Saban and his “process,”

BobDawg

March 3rd, 2012
8:54 am

How come the “fine print” on the Bama schollys is 10 pages long???

Flo-Ri-Duh

March 3rd, 2012
9:51 am

Saban is about as happy offering 4 year scholarships as he is getting his prostate examined. He was not happy to hear that Reuben Foster said his visit to UGA last weekend was “very eye opening” and he had a great time.

Flo-Ri-Duh

March 3rd, 2012
9:54 am

Bear – I’m proud to be
Flo-Ri-Duh.

Another Blackout in Athens?

March 3rd, 2012
11:26 am

Smith flattered by UA offer

Jaylon Smith, a linebacker and national prospect from Ft. Wayne-Bishop Luers, Indiana is rolling in offers from all over the country. Two weeks ago the 6-3, 220-pound got one from Alabama during a conversation with Nick Saban.

“He’s been offered by Coach Saban and not everybody can say that,” says Bishop Luers head coach Matt Lindsay. “Of course, he’s been offered by almost every big program in the country now. He’s got a lot on his mind, but I know he was very flattered to have had the opportunity to speak with Coach Saban and get the offer from Alabama. It’s a great thing. Whether he takes it or not, I can’t speak for him. But I know he’s very flattered and very interested in learning more about Alabama.”

Smith also has offers from Florida, FSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and USC, among others.

Smith’s brother, Rod Smith, is a running back at Ohio State.

“I would say staying close to home would make a difference, but he’s being offered by everyone from Southern Cal to Florida and Alabama and everybody in the Midwest,” Lindsay says. “That’s definitely a lot to think about. I mean, Alabama, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Last fall, Smith had 55 tackles, including 20 for losses and nine sacks. He also rushed for 1,319 yards and 25 touchdowns.

“A lot of people are recruiting him as an athlete,” Lindsay says. “I think he can be a great running back, too. He’s got size and 4.4 speed. I think Alabama likes him as a linebacker.”

Smith is hoping to visit Alabama this summer.

Another Blackout in Athens?

March 3rd, 2012
11:29 am

Alabama is the hottest program in the country to high school prospects. Two of the best considering the Tide are linebacker Jaylon Smith of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and cornerback Kendall Fuller of Olney, Maryland.

Fuller likes several things about Bama

Another national prospect being pursued by UA is cornerback Kendall Fuller of Olney-Good Counsel, Maryland.

The 6-0, 185-pound Fuller has offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Virginia Tech, among others.

“He’s got interest in Alabama. Everybody does,” says Good Counsel head coach Bob Milloy. “They have a great program. I think he will come down there to check it out. Not sure of a date yet though.”

Milloy says there are several reasons for Fuller’s interest in UA.

“Their tradition for one,” he says. “Coaches. Work ethic. Track record. Just a combination of things.”

Fuller had 26 tackles and three interceptions last fall. He also hauled in five touchdown passes.

“He’s got something to him,” Milloy says. “He can do all the things you want in a corner. He’s just got great feet.”

More NCAA sanctions looming for Tide?

March 3rd, 2012
4:23 pm

Bama has been hit with NCAA sanctions 3 times in the past 20 years. They’re on probation until June. When will news of their next scandal & more NCAA sanctions break? If history is any indication, it’s only a matter of time.

Guest

March 3rd, 2012
5:54 pm

Of course Saban oversigns and dumps bad players. How else would we have enough room to sign all of Georgias best players with our own!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Roll Tide!

Reality

March 3rd, 2012
6:33 pm

UGA & Bama were both after roughly 10 prospects from the state of Georgia last year. UGA got 7 of the 10, including elite guys like Jonathan Taylor, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Jordan Jenkins.

The state of Georgia produces around 150-175 Division-1 football players per year. UGA and GT can’t legally sign all of them (NCAA rules) so it’s inevitable that some will leave the state. It ain’t rocket science, folks.

Shawn

March 3rd, 2012
11:11 pm

@ Bama fan- try that blackout thing again, you liked it? Did you enjoy the previous 3 encounters with CMR coached Dawgs? How quickly you forget he is 3-1 against your boys! Enjoy a little piece of that!

Shawn

March 3rd, 2012
11:18 pm

They live on probation at Bama! If they aren’t cheating they aren’t trying! It’s a state motto. Kinda like Dre Kirkpatrick attending 3-4 years at Bama and the first time he leaves the state for more than a week he gets arrested with weed. Also like the O-lineman who OD’d last year in the off season. Those guys were partaking all along but it just gets swept under the rug there. When they leave the state and they are out of the kingdom the broom gets put away and they wind up in jail or dead. If the kid had a coach who gave a flip about him he would have been punished when he stepped out of line. The punishment may have saved his life!

Crimson Crush

March 3rd, 2012
11:51 pm

The O-lineman was a kid who transferred out of the Vol program after Lame Kitten left… went JUCO to avoid the ban Dooley put on his release … then signed with … but never made it TO the Bama program before his untimely death .

In other words … you don’t even have a clue that you don’t even have a clue .

TIM BUCK

March 4th, 2012
5:58 pm

RDT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

concern

March 5th, 2012
1:45 pm

Is that just words and does his words mean anything?

sam

March 5th, 2012
2:39 pm

For all the Saban haters out there all I hear from your words are “Jealousy”, “Envy” “Fear”. Great to be a Bama fan and witness all this nashing of teeth by our rivals. What is even better is that Saban doesn’t give a crap about what you homer newspaper or any of you blowhards think.

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