Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Nick Saban is one of the greatest recruiters in the nation.

Despite hopping around in his tenure, Saban has an almost uncanny superhuman ability to woo youngsters into his program.

Never has that fact been more obvious than his tenure at the University of Alabama. Saban was hired in 2007, having mere weeks to solidify a class originally recruited by former Tide Coach Mike Shula. Saban hit the trail almost immediately upon confirming employment with Athletic Director Mal Moore and made amazing progress in the few weeks he had left until National Signing Day. He spent time contacting the recruits of the ’07 class, but also began work on the ’08 class.

Even with such a fantastic start, Tide fans – widely regarded as the most anxious and expecting fans in college football – had no clue about the run Saban was about to make.

But what makes Saban such a great recruiter? What is it about the Little-Debbie monger in the straw hat that these young athletes find so attractive?

Work Ethic and Commitment to Excellence
Saban’s work ethic is almost legendary at this point. He is reportedly the first in the athletic complex and one of the last to leave every day. And no one beats the grass down on the recruiting trail better or faster than him. This is important, because all of the underling recruiters in the complex see Saban and the example he sets, and the success that it breeds, both in personal careers and on the field. These assistants bust their ass because the head man and mentor is busting his. The Tide would be hard-pressed to find someone more dedicated to his job.

We hear the term “Commitment to Excellence” so frequently these days in our society that is has almost become cliché. However Saban redefines and breathes new life into the worn out words. He truly is seeking perfection. Excellence. Excellence in every facet of the recruiting game, game-preparation, and building men from boys. And he demands this commitment from his assistants.

Relentlessness
One of Saban’s most endearing traits to fans, and most hated traits by the opposition, is his downright relentlessness. The man never relents or gives in, believing anything is possible until it is no longer possible. This has been seen time and time again this year on the recruiting trail. Dirk Diggler, the blue-chip recruit from Atlanta visited the instate school this weekend and left almost ready to commit. But wait, Saban was on his doorstep with breakfast biscuits on Monday morning to discuss Alabama Football.

Stategery (Bushism)
When Saban came to Alabama, it was no secret what he needed to do. Instate recruits were being wooed to out of state schools. The amount of talent being lost each year to out of state schools was mind-boggling. Saban changed that damn-near overnight. In the few weeks he had to work with in 2007, he began installing locks on Mobile and other talent-hotbeds. In 2008, Saban built a monster vault and placed the State of Alabama inside it. That trend seems to be continuing in 2009.

When Lance Thompson decided to suddenly bail on Alabama weeks before National Signing Day, Saban was extremely strategic in replacing the coach, hiring one of Auburn’s best recruiters away from the Plains. You win twice if you simultaneously weaken your opponent whilst strengthening yourself.

Professional Experience

Nick Saban has sent a mass of talent to the NFL. Don’t think that recruits don’t know his history and how well he coaches people for the next level.

Honesty, Sincerity, and Integrity
That’s right. I said it.

Not to reopen old wounds, but Saban’s integrity took a slug to the gut when he unexpectedly left the Miami Dolphins, a little more than a week after stating “I will not be the next head coach at Alabama.” But what was the man to say? He was being grilled about it, and the topic was drifting the press conference from what it should have been about: the Dolphins. Saban did what he did to shut the press corps up. I don’t blame him. He could have worded it a little better and moved on, but diplomacy with the media isn’t his strong suit.

Regardless of that debacle, the man is brutally honest. When he goes into a home, he isn’t going to lie to recruits and he isn’t going to tell them something they want to hear just to get their signature. “Son, if you want to play for me, you’re gonna have to work for it. But you’ll be given a fair shot and I think you can do it.” Remind you of anyone else in the storied Crimson Tide past?

Saban sincerely cares for his recruits. He is a man-builder. His process is very akin to the military. He has transformed troublemakers into fine young men that go on to contribute great things to society. Because of this sincerity, I believe he strikes a big nerve with parents. He isn’t fake. But he is very serious. He wants to see a kid succeed on the field and more importantly, in the classroom. To a degree, Saban is merely an extension of the parental unit and that fact doesn’t go unnoticed by the parents of recruits these days.

There are lots of coaches across the college football landscape that possess one or more of these qualities. But very few possess them all.

On the eve of the unveiling of Saban’s 3rd class at Alabama, Tide fans can rest easy.

They have the man that has it all.

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