Winning is important, no doubt, but today celebrity is so, so important everywhere -- see Trump. Butch has his own documentary, U part 2. He also has huge number of NFL stars he recruited and the best of these kids are worried most about getting to the NFL. Butch might in fact have an even bigger edge today than 15 years ago. EVERYONE knows him now. Everyone knows all those players HE sent to NFL. So while other coaches might have more contact with local kids than before, Butch also has a huge NEW weapon, his name recognition.
If Urban makes an impression of kids saying "you are my next Percy" then imagine Butch with "you are my next ....PICK A ALL PRO name". Butch can walk into a home where Urban and Saban are sitting in the livingroom and wave his hand, "move over children, the man is back in town!"
And then Urban and Saban pull out their 6 rings and laugh in his face.
1 NC and 2 super bowl rings look pretty good too, I imagine.
Butch would have to work for sure to keep kids at home, but does anybody here think he's afraid of recruiting against the big boys? That he wouldn't be all in on recruits? Every time Butch talks about coaching he talks about recruiting & developing kids. He loves it.
As far as pressure to win right away, I think enough wins will come early for this not to be a huge issue. Even if he only wins 8 games and the team shows flashes, there will be hope. And, once you get a critical mass of talent, other talent will want in.
If he falls flat on his face with a losing season in the 2nd year, there are problems, but I don't think he has to win 10 games out of the gate to get kids to come to UM.
I'm not all that sure kids are more impressed by rings that are decades old, versus the 6 rings they witnessed those two coaches win in their lifetime.
True. Still, those super bowl rings might turn a few heads tho.
I just don't buy the idea that Saban and Urban are untouchable in recruiting. Butch could make some noise down here for sure, imo.
His super bowl rings are as a coordinator over 2 decades ago... no one gives a **** about them.
