How Saban Retook Mobile

[mattd 3]

How he reclaimed Mobile

Monday, March 31, 2008By PAUL GATTISTimes Sports Staff paul.gattis@htimes.com

TUSCALOOSA - The coaches came from Florida to Southern California, converging on Mobile-area high schools to attract a dazzling crop of football prospects.

But only one school caught their eye, held their attention and won their signature.

And like one huge relocation project, perhaps the best crop of high school football prospects ever in Mobile all signed with Alabama.

The result was that coach Nick Saban landed what was widely regarded as the nation's No. 1 recruiting class in February.

"Kids like to feel special," said Kerry Stevenson, the coach at Vigor High in Prichard. "They came here and made these kids feel, 'OK, you're our No. 1 priority. You're special.'

"They gave each kid the special attention that they needed."

It's not a surprise that Saban brought in a top-rated recruiting class. He had long established that track record during his five years at Louisiana State from 1999-2003.

"Every freaking kid who could fog a mirror thought they had an LSU offer," said Todd Watson, the coach at Foley High across the bay from Mobile. "That's the sign of great recruiting. They actually don't have an offer and they think they do. (What does that do for you?)

"And Saban will go back in December (before signing day in February) and say, 'Hey, who offered you first? Who was recruiting you first?' And it would work."

Saban and assistant coach Lance Thompson - who has Mobile as part of his recruiting area - stormed into the Port City and grabbed up every prospect seemingly worth grabbing was somewhat stunning.

After all, Mobile had long been fertile recruiting ground for Auburn. Secondly, Alabama had virtually no presence in the area under Saban's predecessor Mike Shula.

Plus, LSU is just a three-hour drive to the west and the Tigers are enjoying unprecedented success that began when Saban took over for Gerry DiNardo.

Yet Saban figuratively threw down an Alabama flag in Mobile as if it were a gauntlet.

"He placed an emphasis on taking Mobile back," Watson said. "I know he and his coaches worked the area pretty hard.

"Maybe he discovered when he was at LSU that Mobile could be a good recruiting base. Certainly when he got to Alabama, I think he made it a priority to take that area back. And certainly, they did a good job with it."

By now, the players Alabama signed from the Mobile area are essentially household names among Crimson Tide fans.

The most well-known is receiver Julio Jones, who played for Watson and was rated the No. 4 player nationally, according to Rivals.com. Three of the top five players in the state were from the Mobile area - Jones, Burton (B.J.) Scott and Mark Barron. All signed with Alabama.

Eight of the Rivals.com top 20 in the state were from the Mobile area, and Alabama signed seven of them.

That's seven signees from the Mobile area after getting just four since 2002. One of those previous four was lightly recruited defensive end Wallace Gilberry of Bay Minette, who was a 2004 summer addition after a scholarship unexpectedly became available.

"It wasn't just the fact that they did it," said Tim Watts, who covers Alabama recruiting for Rivals' BamaOnline.com. "It was the way they did it. It was a clean sweep.

nd it was a clean sweep on kids they were behind on. Burton Scott didn't like Alabama at all until Coach Saban was hired. Then within six months, he's committed. That's a drastic change."

So what happened?

"I don't know if you can put your finger on it," said Mike Bates, the former Bob Jones High coach who is now at St. Paul's in Mobile. "We were worked by everybody."

But Bates had three highly-rated players, including Barron, who all signed with Alabama.

"It wasn't just them," Bates said of Alabama's presence in the area. "I know that's not the popular thing to say because the popular thing to say is they outworked everybody. And they worked hard. They were very visible. (Sooo why is aeveryone saying he outworked Auburn then?)

"But there were a lot of people visible this time because there is a lot of talent down here."

Bates joked that a "green room" was established as a holding area place for coaches waiting their turn to visit with prospects who were already talking to another coach.

In one day, Bates said representatives from Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and Alabama were at the school.

"It was unbelievable," Bates said.

One explanation consistent with the coaches was simply Alabama's work ethic in the area. Saban made in-school visits and Thompson was a constant presence.

Though McKenzie signed with Auburn, that episode simply added to Saban's workaholic reputation.

"The guy wins the national championship and two days later, he's in Mobile," Watts said. "By the fact that he recruited it so hard when he was at LSU paid off for him."

Saban lured Mobile native JaMarcus Russell to LSU in 2003 and the quarterback went on to become the No. 1 pick in last year's NFL draft. All-SEC cornerback Chevis Jackson played at St. Paul's but signed with Saban at LSU.

And perhaps it's not ironic that Alabama's first 2009 commitment is D.J. Fluker, a four-star defensive lineman from Foley High.

This is a sudden alteration of the recruiting landscape in Mobile. In 2007, Auburn signed three players from the city - all ranked in the top 15 by Rivals.com. In 2005, the Tigers signed three more players.

But there are some dynamics at work possibly influencing the changing scene in Mobile.

First, longtime Auburn assistant Joe Whitt, who had a foothold in Mobile recruiting, has taken a fund-raising job within the athletic department.

Then there were Alabama's struggles on the field.

"Alabama has a lot of playing time to offer," Watts said. "That's not the case with Auburn and LSU. I think that played a factor in there, that a kid is going to see the field a little earlier than at Auburn or LSU."

Finally, coaches said Saban's emphasis on the Mobile area far eclipses Shula.

"I have been here the four years before (Saban) and I haven't ever seen Mike Shula here," Stevenson said. "(Saban) just put forth the effort and came in here and worked."

Said Watts, "Alabama did an awful job (under Shula). They didn't even recruit that area. They did an ole', they did token recruiting.

"The (Mobile) guys they got - Brandon Gibson (in 2007), Preston Dial (in '06) - they were strong Alabama leans. They were going to Alabama 99 percent sure no matter who the coach was."

But now the coach is Saban, who - going back to his LSU days - has signed either the No. 1 or No. 2 classes nationally in four of his last five years.

No matter where the recruits are, that's where Saban said he'll be.

"I think (Mobile's) an important part of our state, but I think there are a lot of places that are important in our state," Saban said. "We want to do a good job throughout our state creating good relationships so we have the opportunity to recruit the best players wherever they are.

"I think Mobile is important, but I also think Birmingham and Huntsville and a lot of other places in this state are important as well."

Interesting article but it still doesn't show how he "claimed" mobile. One coach says CTT wasn't there enough one says he wasn't outworked. So what's going on?

[AUman43 5]

If you recall, CTT said he preferred to save his in-home visits until the very last so he and Auburn would be fresh on the recruits mind. I can understand this philosophy but when dealing with someone like Satan, I think Tubs may need to ratchet it up a bit and get on these recruits early. ALso, Satan mentioned that he used the "line" who contacted you first? That may also be a valuable asset as well as visiting last. There's no question that Tubs is going to have to work harder because that bunch is going to outwork him if he doesn't! They intend to overtake us and have the dominant program in the State again and we can't allow that to happen. I'm withholding any personal opinion (which isn't worth much) until after this next year's recruiting. If we get shut out again like we did last year, something MUST change and quickly! I think Tubs knows this as well!

[WarTim 3,524]

Not everyone has "what it takes" to become an Auburn Tiger.

Let the rest of 'em find somewhere else to "play".

WDE

Tim

[runswithscissors 33]

Not everyone has "what it takes" to become an Auburn Tiger.

Let the rest of 'em find somewhere else to "play".

WDE

Tim

that's right. because every single recruit we landed is absolutely horrible and doesn't even deserve to play football. AU's class, however, are all guaranteed All-Americans.

[SkeeterAUfan 0]

shut it you dumb ass bammer.

six in a row! how does that feel nancy? SIX SIX SIX!

[mcgufcm 4,109]

rws, it's not that your guys all suck when you sign them. It's that they suck when they hit the field. Not every guy Auburn recruits is an All-American when we sign them... they just become that on the field. Don't worry, we'll all look back and wonder what all the fuss was about after Julio and the gang are sporting a bagel against Auburn in a few years.

[SouthLink02 8]

That article is spot on about why Saban succeeded at LSU and "shut down" the State of Louisiana like nobody had done before....(yes, including Dinardos previous classes that had 2 highly ranked numbers)

I don't think Saban shuts down Alabama by any means since Louisiana has no other major school but just that LA had never really had that shut down feeling before Saban came and in some respects it still lingers because of how he made their program what it is today

[WinCrimson 61]

The idea that Auburn was outworked came from the Arkansas hunting trip. On that very day, Saban was flying around the state introducing himself to high school coaches while the rival was sporting camo in the Ozarks.

Maybe Tuberville didn't get outworked. I can testify, however, that Saban worked very hard and is continuing to do so. I'm not naive enough to think that your staff is not trying, but wise enough to suggest that they turn up the intensity on the recruiting trail if they want to keep up their on-the-field domination of us. He's already lured in several blue chippers despite what Rivals may tell you.

College football is an arms race and in Coach Saban's world, there are no days off. He regularly is in the office before his secretary and works like there is no tomorrow. He and the entire staff are workaholics to the max.

[The Prowler 1]

Well, as of Today...Tuberville is winning (3-1) with regards to Mobile recruits. That # could grow in the next month.

[WinCrimson 61]

You know that's misleading. Auburn actually has two commits from the Mobile area and one didn't hold a UA offer. The number won't actually be growing, either, as Mobile isn't the hub that it was in 2007. Outside of McCarron, Fluker, and Coleman, there's just not that much to see. Both schools will be forced to go outside of the state more than usual due to what looks to be a down year within the state. For instance, we've offered twelve wide receivers to date and only one is from the state of Alabama.

Again, Prowler, know that I'm not knocking your recruits or coaching staff. I think Terrence Coleman has nice potential and I'm a little surprised that he only held offers from Auburn, Alabama, and Ole Miss. He'll be a nice addition.

[runswithscissors 33]

shut it you dumb ass bammer.

six in a row! how does that feel nancy? SIX SIX SIX!

oh wow, you really showed me! i bet it took you HOURS to think that up.

[mcgufcm 4,109]

Win, you're wrong on at least one count: Auburn isn't going out of the state more than usual. We've made our living there for over a decade. The Dillard five (plus Rosegreen, McClover, Sims, Adams, etc.), Ziemba/Burns, Ronnie B (from GA), Stephen Davis (from SC, along with Travis Williams, etc.)... we get at MOST half our guys from in-state in a given year. Bama's the only team in this state that's gotta make roads out.

[WinCrimson 61]

Win, you're wrong on at least one count: Auburn isn't going out of the state more than usual. We've made our living there for over a decade. The Dillard five (plus Rosegreen, McClover, Sims, Adams, etc.), Ziemba/Burns, Ronnie B (from GA), Stephen Davis (from SC, along with Travis Williams, etc.)... we get at MOST half our guys from in-state in a given year. Bama's the only team in this state that's gotta make roads out.

No, I'm actually not.

You act as if we haven't gotten out-of-state players when our past class consisted of signees from nine different states.

[lca408 380]

I think he was trying to say that Auburn won't be "forced" to head out of state because we've already been there for so long. We have pipelines to schools in Georgia and Florida primarily, and to a few others in other southern states as well. We won't necessarily have to change where we get our guys, since we usually get over half our recruits from out of state.

[WinCrimson 61]

I understand. Auburn has done very well outside Alabama throughout the years. I just think it's unfair to say that we have to make roads outside the state when we just signed recruits from places as far away as Michigan and West Virginia.

[rtftiger 40]

The idea that Auburn was outworked came from the Arkansas hunting trip. On that very day, Saban was flying around the state introducing himself to high school coaches while the rival was sporting camo in the Ozarks.

Maybe Tuberville didn't get outworked. I can testify, however, that Saban worked very hard and is continuing to do so. I'm not naive enough to think that your staff is not trying, but wise enough to suggest that they turn up the intensity on the recruiting trail if they want to keep up their on-the-field domination of us. He's already lured in several blue chippers despite what Rivals may tell you.

College football is an arms race and in Coach Saban's world, there are no days off. He regularly is in the office before his secretary and works like there is no tomorrow. He and the entire staff are workaholics to the max.

This is a stupid statement. So, he outworks his secretary (who may make 2% of his salary). That's incredible. Did you get that scoop from Paul Gattis?

As I have said before, this outworking bit is way overdone. One of the coaches in the article even said as much. It was the perfect storm. Lots of PT available. Hot, new coach. Friendly and awestruck reporting. There may have been some other factors as well.

[WinCrimson 61]

No, I didn't. I don't read Gattis or any of the state's "journalists." I've seen it with my own two eyes. It's a rarity that Saban and the staff arrive at the complex after 8 and leave before 11 P.M.

It's nothing for you to get upset over.

P.S. You're subtle "there may have been other factors" charge is comical. There are several dirty, dirty coaches in this conference and Nick Saban isn't one of them. From personal experience, your's isn't either but that's off subject.

[The Prowler 1]

There are several dirty, dirty coaches in this conference and Nick Saban isn't one of them.

I'd like to see the Link for that statement.

[WinCrimson 61]

There is no link. Only personal testimony that I'm not going into.

Just sleep tight at night knowing that neither coaching staff in this state bend rules like some coaches in the SEC and nation.

[mattd 3]

There is no link. Only personal testimony that I'm not going into.

Just sleep tight at night knowing that neither coaching staff in this state bend rules like some coaches in the SEC and nation.

It's already been proven that Saban will get as close to that line as possible (knowingly). So makes you think he won't do it when no one is watching?

[Ashandarei 0]

There is no link. Only personal testimony that I'm not going into.

Just sleep tight at night knowing that neither coaching staff in this state bend rules like some coaches in the SEC and nation.

It's already been proven that Saban will get as close to that line as possible (knowingly). So makes you think he won't do it when no one is watching?

Uh, this day in age, who isn't watching?

[SouthLink02 8]

Saban is as dirty and clean as everyone else in the SEC

He is far from perfectly clean but he is not the dirtiest in the SEC.....including one who IMO is bar none the worst

[AUloggerhead 2,516]

There is no link. Only personal testimony that I'm not going into.

Just sleep tight at night knowing that neither coaching staff in this state bend rules like some coaches in the SEC and nation.

BS. Bottom line is: you got nothing.

Next thing you'll be trying to tell us is that Ronnie Cottrell is clean as the driven snow. Scout's honor, he told me so in person ... in church ... on Easter. Say, what's the Red Elephant Club been up to lately?

[WinCrimson 61]

I've got nothing? I've got nothing on you committing murder, either. There's a good reason for that, wouldn't you say? The FBI has nothing on you and I have nothing on Coach Saban. In fact, I've witnessed him GO OUT OF HIS WAY to avoid breaking an NCAA rule, as trivial as that rule may have been.

As far as Ronnie Cottrell, the NCAA came out and said he was clean. I've known the guy since I could crawl and can testify to his good character.

You've got nothing beside character assassinations and false baseless accusations.

[The Prowler 1]

I've got nothing? I've got nothing on you committing murder, either. There's a good reason for that, wouldn't you say? The FBI has nothing on you and I have nothing on Coach Saban. In fact, I've witnessed him GO OUT OF HIS WAY to avoid breaking an NCAA rule, as trivial as that rule may have been.

As far as Ronnie Cottrell, the NCAA came out and said he was clean. I've known the guy since I could crawl and can testify to his good character.

You've got nothing beside character assassinations and false baseless accusations.

So, you really don't Have Anything.....except for Ronnie? Umm, yeah, I want to see a Link for those statements...especially the one for "In fact, I've witnessed him GO OUT OF HIS WAY to avoid breaking an NCAA rule, as trivial as that rule may have been." What rule might that have been? Didn't you just say "I have nothing on Coach ($abahr)"?

I'm sorry, but, does having good character towards a Baby mean that you won't Lie and Cheat to help a team that you Love to get them back to their God Given place?