The real reason for Bama's decline (2024)

Posted on 7/22/24 at 5:25 am

Posted by GiveHimSix

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Interesting article here on why Saban losing and failing to rehire Pruitt ultimately led to Saban calling it quits.

I always suspected that was a big factor into Fulmer's decision in hiring Pruitt. Dumb decision for us, but at least it sped up the gump downfall. You are welcome SEC.

Vols just further punched and put an exclamation point in Saban's demise in 2022. It seems the real damage was done with Pruitt leaving though:

"Alabama insider Drew DeArmond of 97.7 ESPN The "Zone recently appeared with Dave Hooker on Off the Hook Sports on his show to talk about many things, including Saban's retirement. And in that conversation, he noted that the inability to hire Pruitt was a factor in why Saban ultimately stepped away from college football."

I just think it's funny because one man, Phat Phil, can cause so much chaos in the world of the gumps.

Saban tried hard to bring Pruitt back

Posted by Cheese Grits

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quote:
The real reason for Bama's decline

Pio probably jinxed them.

Posted by bamameister

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quote:
I always suspected that was a big factor into Fulmer's decision in hiring Pruitt. Dumb decision for us, but at least it sped up the gump downfall. You are welcome SEC.

2008 - 12-2

2009 - 14-0 SEC and NC

2010 - 10-3

2011 - 12-1 NC

2012 - 12-1 SEC and NC

2013 - 11-2

2014 - 12-2 -SEC and Playoff

2015 - 14-1 SEC and NC

2016 - 14-1 SEC and NC Game

2017 - 13-1 NC

2018 - 14-1 SEC and NC game

2019 - 11-2

2020 - 13-0 SEC and NC

2021 - 13-2 SEC and NC game

2022 - 11-2

2023 - 12-2 SEC and NC game

Pruitt was DC for 2 years. In 2016, we lost the NC to Clemson because we couldn't stop or even slow down DeShaun Watson with arguably the best defensive personnel ever accumulated in Tuscaloosa. We won in 2017 on a 2nd and 26 in OT. That game was a lot more about Tua Tagovalia bringing us back from the dead in the second half than Pruitt's defense.

We won with him and we won without him. The most BAMA thing to do.

Posted by GiveHimSix

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Posted on 7/22/24 at 6:27 am to bamameister

Saban has always been susceptible against elite dual threat QBs. Manzeil, Cam, Tebow, Burrow, Hooker ect. Some QBs with the right players around them are just too good to be stopped by any defense at the college level.

Watson was one of those guys in college.

2005 Texas with Vince young would have also given any prime Saban team a run for their money.

Posted by bamameister

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Saban has always been susceptible against elite dual threat QBs. Manzeil, Cam, Tebow, Burrow, Hooker ect. Some QBs with the right players around them are just too good to be stopped by any defense at the college level.

That means Pruitt was also susceptible, Einstein. The HUNH spread teams had a huge advantage on most defenses, especially early on. You can't chase. Pruitt's greatest accomplishment as DC was at FSU. The barn was destroying FSU's defense in the NC game in the first half and Pruitt decided to stop chasing at halftime. When his Lbers stayed in their lanes and stopped chasing, they shut down the running game in the second half.

Now, the damage done to vile football by Jeremy Pruitt for those few years as head coach, and the Great Pumpkin's legacy, priceless.

Posted by GiveHimSix

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Posted on 7/22/24 at 7:38 am to bamameister

Don't shoot the messenger. This is what Bama insiders have been saying for some time now. This is hardly new news.

This post was edited on 7/22/24 at 7:39 am

Posted by kywildcatfanone

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This is hardly new news.

Yet you felt the need for attention to start a thread about this "old" news.

You guys who hate Tennessee fans are the worst.

Posted by atlanta917

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Manzeil, Cam, Tebow, Burrow, Hooker

One of these is not like the others.

Posted by GiveHimSix

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Posted on 7/22/24 at 7:42 am to kywildcatfanone

Posted by bamameister

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Don't shoot the messenger.

Why bother? Enjoy your Jeremy Pruitt-induced NCAA probation. You earned it.

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Posted by GiveHimSix

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Posted on 7/22/24 at 7:48 am to bamameister

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Posted by bamameister

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Have fun in Neyland this year

You mean Tuscaloosa North? Have you ever noticed just how quiet it gets in the 4th quarter of a BAMA game?

Posted by WG_Dawg

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Posted on 7/22/24 at 7:57 am to bamameister

quote:
2016

quote:
the best defensive personnel ever accumulated in Tuscaloosa

Kirby sure can recruit

Posted by lsudave1

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Posted on 7/22/24 at 7:59 am to bamameister

quote:
2023 - 12-2 SEC and NC game

So you get to take credit for playing for a national title last year because your coach brought Washington there?

Posted by bamameister

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So you get to take credit for playing for a national title last year because your coach brought Washington there?

Sorry, just a BAMA habit over the decades. 2023 SEC and Playoffs. How's that?

But I would be happy also to give Coach Saban credit for suggesting Kalen DeBoer. We got who we wanted. That seldom happens anywhere.

Posted by secuniversity

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Wining the SEC and being in the CFP 6 months ago, having the #2 most-talented roster in 2024 according to the blue chip ratio and currently having the #1 recruiting class by star average is a weird way to decline.

This post was edited on 7/22/24 at 8:16 am

Posted by jangalang

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* Feeling forced by the team last year to go against his coaches and play Milroe to keep the team together.

You should keep some things to yourself old man.

Posted by lsudave1

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Posted on 7/22/24 at 8:14 am to bamameister

Saban did not suggest DeBoer. Saban’s pick was Dana Holgorsen and he told Bama no.

This post was edited on 7/22/24 at 8:15 am

Posted by DawginSC

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"Decline" is kind of a loaded word.

Bama was winning a title every other year for about 12 seasons. That has ended.

They're still one of the top 3-5 programs every year though. It's not like they're a borderline top 10 team. They're still a national title contender every season.

The reason they "declined" from being the #1 team every year to "just" being a top 5 team is simply that a few teams caught up to Saban's recruiting. Particularly Ohio State and UGA, but other schools have also narrowed the gap. They didn't really get worse though, other teams elevated themselves to be more competitive.

It's not normal for a team to win a title every other year, even for an exceptional coach. Yet that's what Bama was for a solid 12 year stretch. It's a level of dominance that won't be repeated. But just because Bama doesn't have that level of dominance anymore doesn't mean they've declined. They still are #1 in talent nearly every year. They just don't have the gap they used to.

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