Alabama

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

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2024

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

Jake Crain Full Interview with Andy Staples | New Era Without Saban, Georgia Taking Place? | 01.17.24

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.”

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Alabama

Katie Windham Highlights Alabama Areas of Improvement on The Joe Gaither Show

Published

11 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Katie Windham Highlights Alabama Areas of Improvement on The Joe Gaither Show

Let’s crank up a Thursday edition of “The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral” with Mason Woods and Katie Windham as we start getting ready for next week’s College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Oklahoma. Windham detailed how the Crimson Tide can improve over the next few weeks, we discuss the team’s health and look back at our last road trip to Norman. The show then discusses the Heisman Trophy finalists before addressing a Kalen DeBoer coaching rumor.

The program opens by power ranking the holidays before discussing Windham’s three areas the Crimson Tide can improve over the next week. Our trio picks the easiest area the team can improve and how Alabama must perform in Norman. Windham details our last trip to Oklahoma as we go down memory lane to the Sooners’ 24-3 victory last season.

The show continues on by getting Windham’s thoughts on Alabama’a College Football Playoff selection and if the Crimson Tide actually deserved its place in the field. She brings up a unique aspect of Alabama’s blowout loss in the SEC Championship and how it played into the program’s inclusion in the College Football Playoffs.

We move from next week’s game into a small discussion on Notre Dame’s reaction of being left out of the field and how it relates to Alabama’s future home-and-home dates with the Fighting Irish. Will the two esteemed programs still face off in a few years?

The show heads into the only college football action of the weekend by highlighting the strong Heisman Trophy finalist field. Who brings home the bronze statue?

Lastly, we spend the final bit of the show talking about Michigan firing Sherrone Moore and the reports of the Wolverines considering persuing Kalen DeBeor for their next head coach. Will DeBoer leave Tuscaloosa for Ann Arbor?

We’re so appreciative of our sponsors who make the show possible. Check out Derek Daniel State Farm in Alabama for your insurance needs. We’re also proud to partner with Purple Turtle Roofing on the program. From your first call to the final nail, our mission is to make sure you feel confident, cared for, and covered, literally.

Call (205) 462-7340 Extension 800 to leave your thoughts in a voicemail, and you’ll be featured on the show. You can also join us live in the comment sections Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. CT.

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Alabama

New Alabama law raises penalties for porch piracy

Published

23 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

New Alabama law raises penalties for porch piracy

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – As holiday deliveries ramp up, a new Alabama law aims to deter package theft by raising penalties for so-called “porch piracy.” The law, which went into effect on October 1, 2025, makes repeated package theft a felony and can carry prison sentences of up to 10 years in the most serious cases.

What changed

Previously, many package thefts in Alabama were charged as misdemeanor theft because the value of individual stolen packages often fell below felony thresholds. Under the new law however, lawmakers established penalties that focus on the number of homes targeted rather than the dollar value of items stolen:

Stealing from 1 to 9 homes: most serious misdemeanor
Stealing from 10 to 29 homes: felony
Stealing from 30 or more homes: can result in up to 10 years in prison

The law also increases penalties if stolen packages are used to commit identity theft or fraud. In addition, anyone who knowingly receives packages stolen by a porch pirate can be charged under the new rules.

Lawmakers weigh in

Senator April Weaver, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the change was meant to protect Alabama families during the holidays.

“It was really important to protect the people not only in my district but throughout the state of Alabama and to make sure their hard-earned money is going to their children’s Christmas,” she said.

On camera, Senator Weaver added with holiday humor, “It means the Grinch may have stolen Christmas in Whoville, but if he does it in Alabama, he’ll have plenty of time in state prison for his heart to grow three sizes.”

What police recommend if your package is stolen

If you discover a stolen package, law enforcement recommends:

Report the theft to police immediately.
Preserve any doorbell or surveillance footage that may show the theft.
Contact the delivery company right away to report the missing item.
Consider requiring a signature on delivery to reduce the risk of theft.

The law went into effect on October 1, 2025; this December marks the first holiday season it is in effect. Alabama is now one of more than a dozen states that have passed laws specifically targeting package theft. Supporters say the law sends a stronger message that porch piracy will no longer be treated as a minor offense.

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Alabama

Roll Tide: Lilly selects Alabama site as location for $6B API facility

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

Roll Tide: Lilly selects Alabama site as location for B API facility

Eli Lilly has unveiled the location of the third of its four large-scale manufacturing facilities that it plans to build in the U.S. | Eli Lilly has unveiled the location of the third of its four large-scale manufacturing facilities that it plans to build in the U.S. The drugmaker has selected Huntsville, Alabama, as the site of a $6 billion plant that will produce APIs for small molecule and peptide medicines.

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