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What if Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban Never Left the LSU Tigers?

By Caleb Calhoun

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Nov 8, 2014; Evanston, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke in the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Alabama Crimson Tide would be under the leadership of Brady Hoke and likely still in turmoil

Here me out. Nick Saban is still at LSU. As a result, Mike Shula is still fired after the 2006 season, and Alabama hires Bobby Petrino and sees lots of success.

Then, after the 2007 season, Miles goes home and is hired as head coach of Michigan. Fast-forward to 2011. Brady Hoke would not be hired at Michigan because Miles would still be there and be very successful. Because of that, he would have built up a profile at San Diego State and likely would have had another successful season.

At the same time, Alabama would have fired Petrino that spring for doing something as stupid as what he did at Arkansas the next year anyway. Then, the Tide would have desperately hired an assistant in the spring of 2011 the way Arkansas did in 2012, and that assistant along with all the turmoil would have caused a terrible 2011 season.

Then comes the end of that season, Alabama is in a coaching search, and Hoke has had two very successful seasons at San Diego State, potentially a 10 or 11- win season in 2011. What happens?

Hoke is the hottest coaching candidate on the market, and Mal Moore gives him a call. He is on his way to Tuscaloosa.

And just like he did at Michigan, he likely has lots of success his first year at Alabama in 2012, meaning he gets an extension and puts together solid recruiting classes the way he did at Michigan.

But his trajectory would likely be exactly the same as it was at Michigan. He would have regressed in 2013 and 2014, and he would now be on the hot seat. The Petrino scandal and hot seat that Hoke is on would cause Bama fans to begin to think their program is cursed.

And they would still not be able to bury the hat.

So, essentially, if you are a Tide fan, thank Heavens you were able to bring in Saban when you did. Otherwise, you’d be stuck in mediocrity with Brady Hoke. And yes, that is the final conclusion we reached as to what would happen had Saban never left LSU.

Next: What if Steve Spurrier Never Left the Florida Gators?

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