Alabama Football: Saban makes it clear, “We’re not finished YET”

While Nick Saban and 40,000 of his closest friends celebrated, the Alabama football coach worked recruits and their families.

It was a joyous day in Tuscaloosa for Alabama football fans. The weather was lovely. There was a national championship to celebrate. The crowd was estimated at 40 thousand.

For Nick Saban, it was a workday. Eleven, 4-Star and 5-Star recruits took part in the Alabama football championship celebration. Many of them were joined by family members. 5-Star recruit and No. 1, cornerback in the nation, Patrick Surtain Jr. was joined by his parents, two sisters and his grandmother.

Early news coming out of Tuscaloosa is that the recruits and their families have been mightly impressed. There are two more recruiting weekends left in the 2018 cycle. At none of them will other schools have national championship celebrations. Well, UCF might stage another public display of foolishness but none of the 11 recruits mentioned above will be there.

How Saban made the celebration a big recruiting commercial

How did Nick do it? Aaron Suttles of the Tuscaloosa News wrote the basis for understanding what went on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

"Nick Saban is nearly always the smartest man in the room."

Make that damn near any room. Certainly, any room mostly populated by coaches of any sport, college or professional. Alabama football AD, Greg Byrne made pretty much the same claim during the celebration.

Nick used statements from outgoing team captains. Here is just one by Shaun Dion Hamilton.

"I came here because I wanted to play football at the highest level, compete for a national championship and get my degree. I’m proud to say that I’m a two-time national champion, a three-time SEC champion and I got my degree and finishing my master’s degree in May."

Saban talked about “extraordinarily high standards of expectation.” The recruits did not have to be reminded about the run of national championships, but Nick made sure they knew another fact. He pointed out during the national championship game, 24 NFL players, all former Tiders, were on the Alabama football sideline.

“We’re not finished YET”

And Nick made another point very clear when he said “we’re not finished” and he and his players quickly added a loud “Yet.” Watch the video in the tweet below for the line and other celebration highlights.

The Sunday morning schedule for recruits and their families was breakfast at the Saban house. Past participants have said as good as Nick is in this setting, Miss Terry is even better. Perhaps no one associated with Alabama football is better at closing ‘Moms’ than Terry Saban. It is rumored one particular 5-Star Mom has become sold on the Tide this weekend.

Next: When Nick Saban talks it is smart to listen.

There will be plenty of recruit feedback circulating beginning Sunday night and Monday. Alabama football will close well. A top three class is within reach.