Nick Saban Builds Success at Alabama Through Strong Locker Room

So, Alabama haters, when is the last time a 'Bama player was arrested?

On February 23, 2008, safety Rashad Johnson was arrested outside a Tuscaloosa bar. That's right, TWO years ago. Take that, Tennessee.

Johnson's arrest was the end of an ongoing string of players that got into trouble. Before Johnson, potential starting linebacker Jimmy Johns was booted off the team after selling drugs. Don't forget about the now-infamous textbook scandal that took its toll on the 2007 season.

During this trouble, Saban was accused of not being a good disciplinarian. It took several months without trouble before those critics disappeared. Meanwhile, Alabama has been quite successful the past two years, going undefeated in the regular season in 2008 and 2009, and bringing the university its 13th national title.

Beginning with this successful streak, many of the Alabama football players have displayed fine character and are outstanding citizens and UA students. Heisman winner Mark Ingram has sterling character qualities on par with Tim Tebow. Guard Barrett Jones went to Haiti after the earthquake to help clean up. Quarterback Greg McElroy is a solid "A" student.

Most notably, no UA players have landed on the wrong side of the law in a long time. Nick Saban, despite the mountains of criticism he receives, is a good man. He raises his players to be good men, too, and to reach beyond their goals. He demands leadership from his team captains and keeps the showboating to a minimum during games.

The Alabama football team is a fine group of young men fans can be proud of, and we owe a hearty thank you to Nick Saban.