How the ‘Nick Saban discount’ in recruiting has changed for Alabama

During Nick Saban’s tenure at Alabama, recruits knew they were talking to one of the greatest of all time. Eventually, that title shifted to the greatest of all time as Saban won a record seven national championships as part of his storied career.

Now, he’s riding into the sunset, announcing his retirement on Jan. 10. It’s Kalen DeBoer’s show in Tuscaloosa, and the recruiting effect is already starting. Multiple players have entered the transfer portal and high-profile, unsigned commits backed off their pledges.

It’s possible the “Nick Saban Discount” could be going away if players commit to a person rather than a school. In fact, Crain and Co.’s Jake Crain said Saban’s departure could make it more challenging for Alabama to lure in those highly touted recruits.

“I think you lose a little bit of the benefit of the doubt,” Crain told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “I think that may be the most hurtful impact of the greatest of all time when it comes to college football and Nick Saban retiring.

“Here’s what I’ll say, Andy. I think, especially now, in the era of the freedom — I call it, it’s like the ’70s. The free love of the transfer portal. Now is not a better time to commit to a coach. Why would I commit to a place? Why would I not commit to a guy where I can follow him around wherever he goes? I obviously believe in him if I’m going to commit to him. But if he fits what I want to do schematically and philosophically, I’m committing to the coach and not the place.”

Jake Crain: Despite so much history, Nick Saban became Alabama

Long before Mal Moore brought Nick Saban to Alabama, the Crimson Tide became one of the most storied programs in college football. The legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant brought six national championships to Tuscaloosa as part of his Hall of Fame career, and it wasn’t always smooth sailing after he retired.

Bryant became synonymous with Alabama, and it seemed as though no one would surpass him as the greatest coach of all time. That is, until Saban left the Miami Dolphins to take over the program.

Just like that, it became his program. DeBoer’s task will now be selling Alabama post-Saban.

“I think in Alabama’s case — and this is a compliment, this isn’t a negative thing — is we know that Alabama has been a monster before,” Crain said. “But nobody ever talks about Bear Bryant being the greatest of all time. Nobody ever talks about Bear Bryant being Alabama. Bear Bryant was Alabama, right? Until Nick Saban came in.

“And regardless of how you want to look at it, regardless of team affiliation, Alabama is Nick Saban and Nick Saban is Alabama. And at the end of the day, it’s the truth. That out-of-state tuition, those kids weren’t coming down from fist pumping on Jersey Shore to Tuscaloosa because of the party scene or because of any extenuating circumstance.”