My brotha; Saban had minimal talent when he inherited Bama.
He inherited a team who’s avg star rating over 4 years, prior to his arrival, was .8511 (3 star) and recruited the 41st, 21st, 16th, and 13th ranked classes. The 2005 and 2006 classes were top 20 based upon shear size, alone. PLUS they were just coming off a 5 yr probation before he took over. I think we forget just had Bama was before Saban got there.
Comparatively, Manny has inherited a team who’s avg star rating over 4 years was .8909 (low 4 star) and they were the 22nd, 12th, 8th, and 27th ranked classes respectively. No probation, a top 5 defense, and play makers all over the field.
Both coaches had attrition, but Manny was able to supplement his attrition in year one w The Portal, unlike Saban, so we can stop using that comparison.
Regarding Jimmy, back in 19 mf 84, I’m too young nor was I even watching CFB back then, so I can’t comment on who Jimmy had, who he didn’t. He did just inherit a Nat’l Championship team, so there’s that. One thing I can say about Jimmy in year 1....despite going 8-5 yr 1, he started off the season going 2-0 against two TOP 25 teams, on the road, and did not start 0-2 against one top 25, and another team that’s starting a new, freshman QB, and who was just 2-9 the previous season.