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I do not think that anyone can argue the fact that Alabama football has been in a decline during the past few years. Only time will tell if their football program continues it downward spiral.

With the hiring of Nick Saban, Alabama football will probably be successful once again. Alabama's success in the future depends on a few key points, those key points are the same reasons why Alabama football has not lived up to it's legend of the past.

Point number one, Coaching.
Mike Shula was a gutsy, smart quarterback for the Tide in the mid-80's. He led some great come from behind victories for the Tide, particularly in 1985 against Georgia and Auburn. When Shula was hired in 2003 to lead the Tide as head coach he was expected to fill some very big shoes. Whether Alabama fans admit it or not, every head coach that is hired is immediately compared to Paul "Bear" Bryant. Unfortunately, and probably unfairly, Mike Shula's critics deemed him unworthy to be the head coach at Alabama. In Shula's defense I will point out that there were stark contrasts during his time coaching and the "Bear's" time at Alabama. "Bear" did not have to deal with scholarship limitations, the NCAA watching him like a hawk, or a board of trustees with an itchy firing finger.

Which leads me to my second point, Unrealistic Fans.
During the "Bear" years Alabama football enjoyed six national championships, thirteen SEC titles, and twenty-four consecutive bowl game trips. The man known to every Alabama fan as simply "Bear" was undoubtedly one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, maybe the best. With that kind of success in their past, it is easy to understand why Alabama fans are sometimes unrealistic. Those fans that remember the glory days simply expect the Crimson Tide to return to those days of dominating the SEC.

The third and final point, Boosters.
The Tide's recent stint on probation handed down by the NCAA was largely due to what the NCAA deemed "lack of institutional control". Logan Young, an Alabama Alumni and Booster, was accused of orchestrating a deal to buy a Memphis-born defensive tackle, Albert Means. Young, and two other boosters, put up a reported one hundred fifty thousands dollars for Albert Means. Those actions prompted the NCAA to hand down very stiff penalties to the Tide nation. Alabama was put on probation for five years, lost 21 scholarships, and weren't allowed to play in any bowl game for two years. The NCAA considered the "Death Penalty" for the Tide, but they backed off that decision.

Entering upon the scene after Mike Shula's firing, Nick Saban.
Saban's success at Alabama will be dependent on the three aforementioned points. Saban's coaching career thus far has been a successful one, with the exception of his short NFL coaching stint with the Miami Dolphins. No doubt he will bring the Tide national recognition, he already has in some respects and he hasn't even coached a single game yet. The other two points are still question marks. Will the unrealistic fans learn to have some patience with Saban while he rebuilds the Tide? Can they learn to be realistic when it comes to comparing Saban to the "Bear"? Will the Boosters learn to stop meddling in the affairs of the football team? Can the Boosters resist the urge to buy the next Albert Means? Only time will answer all these questions.

If the answer is NO to any of these questions, then look for the Tide to continue it's present decline.

Learn more about this author, Keith Smitherman.
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