crawfish
12-07-2007, 11:32 PM
Not suprised. Most people in Louisiana like Saban and appreciate what he did to get the foundation of LSU football solid again. He will always have his rightful place in the history of LSU. To "most" LSU fans, he is now an opponent, not an enemy of LSU.
Here's a nice article on his Independence Bowl team announcement party on Thursday:
Cajun food. A rousing applause. It was just like old times for Nick Saban — minus the crimson tie. Of course, Saban knew the food would be good and hoped the reception would match. There was one thing the prickly football coach wanted to make clear at the PetroSun Independence Bowl's team announcement party Thursday: He loves Louisiana. Why shouldn't he? For the better part of five seasons he played second fiddle only to the man upstairs in many parts of this football-crazed region. "We had a great experience here," the former LSU coach said. "It was a special time for us. We have fond memories and a lot of good relationships with the people here."
http://cmsimg.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=D9&Date=20071207&Category=SPORTS02&ArtNo=712070318&Ref=AR&Profile=1001&MaxW=375&border=0
Thursday, nearly three years after heading to the NFL and leaving Tigers fans in a world of hurt, Saban returned to represent the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide, with Saban as a first-year-head coach, will play fellow 6-6 foe Colorado in the Dec. 30 Independence Bowl. "The exposure we get in this bowl is great for our program," Saban said. Saban received hearty applause when introduced at Independence Stadium's Stadium Club and seemed comfortable glad-handing and posing for pictures with fans — of the purple and gold and crimson and white. Saban-mania seems to have calmed down around here. Of course, that might have much to do with LSU's place in the BCS title game, the Tigers' victory in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and ULM's shocking win at Bryant-Denny Stadium earlier this season.
When Saban bolted for the Miami Dolphins on Christmas of 2004, some LSU fans were bitter, but most recognized what the coach had done to the LSU program in five years. Tigers fans didn't adapt so well when Saban ditched the Dolphins early this year and accepted the Alabama job after weeks of adamantly denying he'd do so. "I have a lot of respect for people and where they are fans and what their passion is — certainly LSU and their fans," Saban said. "I understand very well what LSU means to this state."
While the matchup against the Crimson Tide may have Colorado coach Dan Hawkins a bit uneasy, unlike Saban, he didn't have to contemplate what the atmosphere surrounding his presence would be. "Coach Saban is a great coach," said Hawkins, in his second year with the Buffaloes. "It's tough in this profession because sometimes you move around. He did deliver a national title for the Tigers, so you hope the fans remember that part of it." Judging by the reaction of the Louisianans on Thursday, Saban is not the curse word around here many might think. (By Roy Lang III, Gannett.com)
Here's a nice article on his Independence Bowl team announcement party on Thursday:
Cajun food. A rousing applause. It was just like old times for Nick Saban — minus the crimson tie. Of course, Saban knew the food would be good and hoped the reception would match. There was one thing the prickly football coach wanted to make clear at the PetroSun Independence Bowl's team announcement party Thursday: He loves Louisiana. Why shouldn't he? For the better part of five seasons he played second fiddle only to the man upstairs in many parts of this football-crazed region. "We had a great experience here," the former LSU coach said. "It was a special time for us. We have fond memories and a lot of good relationships with the people here."
http://cmsimg.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=D9&Date=20071207&Category=SPORTS02&ArtNo=712070318&Ref=AR&Profile=1001&MaxW=375&border=0
Thursday, nearly three years after heading to the NFL and leaving Tigers fans in a world of hurt, Saban returned to represent the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide, with Saban as a first-year-head coach, will play fellow 6-6 foe Colorado in the Dec. 30 Independence Bowl. "The exposure we get in this bowl is great for our program," Saban said. Saban received hearty applause when introduced at Independence Stadium's Stadium Club and seemed comfortable glad-handing and posing for pictures with fans — of the purple and gold and crimson and white. Saban-mania seems to have calmed down around here. Of course, that might have much to do with LSU's place in the BCS title game, the Tigers' victory in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and ULM's shocking win at Bryant-Denny Stadium earlier this season.
When Saban bolted for the Miami Dolphins on Christmas of 2004, some LSU fans were bitter, but most recognized what the coach had done to the LSU program in five years. Tigers fans didn't adapt so well when Saban ditched the Dolphins early this year and accepted the Alabama job after weeks of adamantly denying he'd do so. "I have a lot of respect for people and where they are fans and what their passion is — certainly LSU and their fans," Saban said. "I understand very well what LSU means to this state."
While the matchup against the Crimson Tide may have Colorado coach Dan Hawkins a bit uneasy, unlike Saban, he didn't have to contemplate what the atmosphere surrounding his presence would be. "Coach Saban is a great coach," said Hawkins, in his second year with the Buffaloes. "It's tough in this profession because sometimes you move around. He did deliver a national title for the Tigers, so you hope the fans remember that part of it." Judging by the reaction of the Louisianans on Thursday, Saban is not the curse word around here many might think. (By Roy Lang III, Gannett.com)