$2 million more than any active coach is not "lucking up" on a real coach. He had won a NC at LSU, and like Spurrier he was not successful in the NFL. He was wanting an out and Alabama was it. With their number of championships, tradition, and the recruiting base in state, it was a no brainer for Saban. It isn't that easy in TN, that is why we recruit nationally and have a budget to do so. Thats why USCjr hasn't won a championship as well. They have pretty much sucked for years until the last two. Wasn't long ago that Spurrier was talked about as on the hot seat!