KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – When Alabama hired Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide hoped it would roll to a national championship.
When Auburn landed quarterback Cam Newton, the Tigers hoped he could deliver an SEC title.
When Texas A&M lured John Chavis from LSU, the Aggies hoped he would transform a morbid defense.
When you make a splashy hire, you want flashy results. But you usually don’t broadcast it.
I don’t recall then-Alabama athletic director Mal Moore challenging Saban to win a national title or then-Auburn coach Gene Chizik declaring Newton a savior or A&M’s Kevin Sumlin making reservations to Atlanta after Chavis came aboard.