Ah, 2007.  Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize.  Boris Yeltsin died.  And on January 3rd, Nick Saban was sexually assaulted by a drunken Alabama fan wearing the best jersey that Wal-Mart has to offer.

Looking back, it’s easy to see why were were all so excited.  We didn’t care about the, “Guess I’m gonna have to say it . . . ” line.  We didn’t care about his 15-17 record in the NFL (which was actually a miracle and a testament to his ability, given his quarterback situation).  We had seen the product that Alabama had been up against when we played Nick Saban’s LSU.  It was big, fast, and made your team look puny in comparison.  The 2003 LSU game, although the final score doesn’t look overly brutal (as many of Saban’s slow-bleed victories sometimes don’t) will forever go down in my mind as the truest “Hulk on Loki” moment of the Shula era.

Our opponents…well, for whatever reason (*cough* fear of this current reality *cough*), our opponents weren’t as enthralled with the hire as Alabama fans were.

Today, pre-eminent Alabama football historian kleph, the man behind the invaluable resource Remember the Rose Bowl, took to Twitter with some research about what some of those opposing fans, doubting national pundits, and other anti-Sabanites had to say in 2007.

Let this serve as a warning, friends.  If it’s on the Internet, it’s there forever.


“Nick Saban, Charlie Weis. The two most overpaid coaches in America” http://t.co/2vQSbgCq #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 5:18 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“[Saban] didn’t prove anything at Miami and he hasn’t proven anything against Auburn.” http://t.co/Z0WSzIJE #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 8:07 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“If Saban believes he can continue his behavior and return Alabama to the top of college football he is sadly mistaken” http://t.co/ASs1zyN5
January 9, 2013 7:37 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“[Saban]‘s like the stock market—one season the program will be at its high, next it could hit rock bottom” http://t.co/GN2U9L2E #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 5:52 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“Nick Saban, University of Alabama: Oh my, the mother of all overrateds.” http://t.co/GTV1VM6W #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 5:26 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“Is Nick Saban overrated? Sure he is. He’s overrated and overpaid.” http://t.co/pf5mHY8h #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 5:20 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


This Domer wailing and gnashing his teeth over the sake of amateurism after Saban’s hire is especially delicious now. http://t.co/dBQurexA
January 9, 2013 4:58 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“[Saban]‘s an average coach who, through mostly media attention, has garnered this reputation of being a great coach.” http://t.co/NEfOra2B
January 9, 2013 4:51 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


UrbanDictionary — “Nick Saban” definition 1: Overrated football coach http://t.co/O0bW4kbF #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 4:45 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“Alabama Gaga Over Overrated Saban” http://t.co/tebD9L4x #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 4:38 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder


“The UA mystique took a hit in the [Saban] hiring process… AD Mal Moore has earned a ticket out of town” http://t.co/UujvGKcH #2007quotes
January 9, 2013 4:29 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@kleph
C.J. Schexnayder